Frances Barnes was selected as the Northwest Georgia Region Family Caregiver of the Year by CARE-NET, a coalition of support groups coordinated through the Rosalynn Carter Institute of Caregiving.

Barnes was nominated through Grands Who Care, a support program for grandparents and other relatives raising children. She has been actively involved with this program since its inception more than 11 years ago.

During that time, she has acted as a mentor to other grandparents as well as providing care for a number of her own family members. Those who gave the award said Barnes’ kindness and positive attitude contributed to her being selected.

A selection committee will choose state winners from the regional winners in three categories: family caregiver, paraprofessional caregiver and volunteer caregiver.

The state winners will be presented with a gilded rose, a certificate of appreciation and a cash prize from former first lady Rosalynn Carter during the Rosalynn Carter Institute Award Gala conducted later this month.

Grands Who Care, a program of Mercy Senior Care, provides resources, referral, community education, medical support and peer socialization to caregivers involved with the program. For more information contact Julia Kimple at jkimple@mercyatlanta.org or 706-291-8496.