The purpose of this study was to investigate the lives of eight grandmothers in primary caregiving roles. The grandmothers were African American or multiracial, with one from Belize of African descent, all caring for grandchildren. The findings of eight 1-hour interviews coupled with demographic surveys yielded the following information: The majority of the children cared for had been abused, neglected, and/or abandoned by their parents due to the crack-cocaine epidemic. Most of the children had been, or would have been wards of the state had these grandmothers not rescued them. These caregivers often had two to five grandchildren within the same household, who evidenced crack-cocaine symptomatology. In procuring specialized services for said children, and in providing daily care, these grandmothers face an inordinate amount of socio-environmental stressors that place them at risk in their caregiving capacity. The numbers of grandmothers currently serving as surrogate parents to grandchildren and great-grandchildren is steadily increasing. Educational institutions need to be aware and mindful of the needs of this unique family constellation, and design preventive/comprehensive programs within this environment to address those needs. (Contains 24 references.) (Author/HTH)