1960 - 1965
Foster Parents in Victoria, Kelowna and Vancouver were meeting independently to
form self-help groups. However as a result of a provincial recruitment drive, (JEFF)
in 1965, existing Foster Parents found out they weren't the 'only ones'.
1966 - 1970
The first Foster Parent Conference was held in June 1966. A committee was
struck to determine the purpose, structure and funding sources for a Provincial
body. In 1967 the Federation was officially founded with 15 active locals.
Purposes and Aims were set out and became our Constitution. In 1970 - 139
delegates accepted a DRAFT Constitution, and the "B.C. Federation of Foster
Parent Associations" was chosen as our official name.
1972 - 1979
On February 2, 1972 the Federation was officially incorporated under the B.C.
Societies Act as a Non-Profit Organization. At the 6th Annual Conference in 1975
those present adopted a “Procedure for Resolving Conflicts Between Foster
Parents and Ministry”. Regionalization was introduced in 1978 to better meet the
needs of Foster Parents in the diverse areas of the Province. Provincial funding for
the Information Kit was obtained. In 1979 the William Curtis Memorial Bursary
was established.
1980 - 1983
An Education and Training Coordinator was hired and work commenced on a
Policy Handbook for Foster Parents, and in 1982 the first Knowledge Network
program was developed by the Federation and aired. Then in 1983 an Orientation
Manual for new Foster Parents was developed and a 'Guide to Foster Care in B.C.
was also in its final edits.
1984-1985
The BCFFPA Foster Parent Insurance Rider was implemented in 1984;
Resolution of Issues was incorporated into Ministry Policy; the Resource
Catalogue was published and the 3-year Health & Welfare Grant Program for
Foster Parent Training began. In 1985 the Status of Fostering committee was
struck.
1986
National Foster Parent Week was held in October for the first time.
1988-1989
The BCFFPA Code of Ethics was passed by the members at the AGM. The
following year (1989) the 'Protocol for the Investigation of Alleged Abuse in
Foster Homes was introduced.
1990 -1992
The Lieutenant Governor's Award to Foster Parents was created. Fosterline was
made available to Foster Parents to call toll-free for information. In 1991, the
BCFFPA held its 25th Conference and in 1992 the Federation celebrated 25 years of
incorporation. The Protection Pamphlet was produced that year as well.
1993- 1996
The Levels of Care was implemented jointly with the Ministry for Children and
Families. Canada 125 Medals were awarded to Federation, Esther Lowe, Ron
Halston, Georgette Poirier and Gerhard Winkler for services to children and
families. The following year, (1995) the Federation assisted the Ministry with
proposals for legislative change to the F&CS Act, and establishment of the
Advocacy Act; Federation reviewed and made recommendations to the Protocol for
Investigating Abuse and Resolution of Issues policies; and compiled a
submission for presentation to the Gove Commission. In 1996
Child welfare
became a community responsibility. With the implementation of the new Child,
Family & Community Service Act, and new MSS policy and procedures to support
the legislation, Caregivers participated in joint training events with a strong
community focus.
FEDERATION HISTORY
1997- 1999
In partnership with the Ministry and the Canadian Foster Family Association,
the Federation, co-hosted the International Foster Care Conference at the
University of British Columbia. In 1998 FosterCare 2000 was developed to
address improvements to the Foster Care system into the next century. Working
jointly with the Ministry for Children & Families, the Foster
Family Handbook
was revised and contains Rights of Foster Parents. MCF and Federation worked
together to add Multicultural services to the provincial
Fosterline. Standards
for Foster Homes were completed and put into use.
2000
Numerous documents were in the final stages of completion or were completed
this fiscal year. These included the Family Care Home Contract, the Working
agreement between BCFFPA and FAFP, the Support Worker and Advocacy
Program, the Draft 3rd Party Review document as outlined in Foster Care 2000, the
Draft Imminent Placement Dispute Resolution Process, the MCF/BCFFPA
Teambuilding Agreement, Protocols for Foster Homes. The Pre-Service
Orientation Manual was completed and distributed, and the British Columbia
Foster Care Education Program was implemented in January of that year. The
BCFFPA Web Page was designed and implemented as well.
2001
The Working Protocol Agreement between BCFFPA and FAFP was signed, the
Family Care Home Agreement was put in place, and plans were made to
implement the Imminent Placement Termination Review (formerly Imminent
Placement Dispute Resolution Process) document in the 2001/2002 fiscal years.
The Support Worker and Advocacy
Program was now firmly in place and
had a
minimum of two support workers in each of the 13 regions.
2002
The Imminent Placement Termination Review Process was put in place. Work
continued on the Independent Third Party Review Process. The Federation
developed the Strategic Shifts Document. This document was taken to the
membership to begin the process of restructuring in order to give power back to the
Regional, Area, and Local Associations. This restructuring was in response to the
Ministry’s move to 5 Regional Governances.
2003
BCFFPA restructured and downsized the board and staff within the provincial
office. The structure of the board now encompassed four executive and 5 regional
delegates. The provincial BCFFPA continued operations through a grant from
MCFD to provide services in the areas of communication, insurance, and
recruitment. The BCFFPA continued to provide many services to members
through fundraising initiatives as well as administration of the Natural Child,
William Curtis, Merv Davis and Gordon Menzies bursaries.
2004
The BCFFPA Provincial Office moved and co-located with the Adoptive Families
Association of BC. The Board and Staff continued to improve information flown
and provision of services to foster parents. The Provincial Board provided input
into the MCFD Caregiver Support Service Standards; Developed and
implemented a Provincial Database of available resources for foster parents
Ministry of Children and Family Development as necessary; continued to
address issues around the FCH Agreement Notice; Designed a Grief, Loss, and
Transition “Train the Trainer Curriculum” and facilitated 2 province wide
workshops.
2005/06
In the spring of 2005 a Grief Loss and Transitions workshop was developed for
direct delivery to foster parents. The Board established the BCFFPA Technical
and Vocational Bursary and the Special Olympics Bursary to assist members.
The BCFFPA continued working closely with MCFD at the Provincial level in
various capacities. A survey looking at ways for the Federation to better serve
foster parents was sent out and a final report was included in the 2004/05 Annual
Report. This report brought forward many issues which need addressing. The
BCFFPA also lobbied MCFD for an increase in mileage rates for foster parents,
and was successful in gaining a 50% increase in both the basic and additional
mileage provided for caregivers in transporting children and youth. The Camps
for Kids Program began and 20 kids went to camp each of these two years, and
work began on the development of the Rights of Foster Parents, as well as the
gathering of information to support a maintenance and service payment
increase for foster parents. In April 2006, the BCFFPA assisted Hollyburn Family
Services, and Pacific Community Resources in the delivery of the first two-day
Stand Together Conference. In early May 2006 the BCFFPA assisted MCFD
Division in arranging the Caregiver Support System Framework Provincial
Forum, whereby foster parents, MCFD staff, Delegated Agency representatives,
Foster Parent Support Agency Representatives, Representatives from CLBC,
Youth Justice, Mental Health, the Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents, and
the BC Youth in Care Network met to discuss various issues in relation to
supports and safety for children and youth receiving services from government.
Melanie Filiatrault was voted President and Willy Neal was voted Vice President
of the Federation at the May 2006 AGM.
2006/2007
The Board continues to meet regularly with the Minister of Children and Family
Development around issues related to the strengthening of the Foster Care
System. As a result of these meetings, the Federation has developed
collaborative relationships with various community groups including the BC
Lions, Vancouver Canucks, and Science World. Both the Lions and the
Canucks will be working with the BCFFPA to develop Public Service
Announcements and short videos to aid in retention and recruitment of Foster
Parents. There is discussion taking place around the Duke of Edinburgh
awards and various provincial discounts for foster parents, which may be
brought about by MCFD
21 children and youth in care went to camp and three Educational Bursaries
were awarded!
The Provincial Education, Recruitment, and Retention Committees were
developed out of the Caregiver Support System Framework Provincial Forum
held in May, with several meetings taking place since August. The BCFFPA
administers grant funding for this committee on behalf of the Ministry of
Children and Family Development and continues to work closely with MCFD
and agencies to address the issues that arose out of the original forum as well as
working with these same agencies and the Provincial Ministry on revisions and
upgrades to the Caregiver Support Service Standards.
The BCFFPA 40th anniversary was held in May of 2007. Several members of the
BCFFPA Board were involved in the World Forum.
2008
In 2007/08, the BCFFAP began holding Idea Forums throughout BC in response
to the issue of low graduation rate and homelessness among former youth in
care. To date 13 Idea Forums have been held in the North, Interior, Vancouver
was developed to act as a communication centre regarding the outcomes of these
forums. It was launched February 2008. The Idea Forums have also resulted in
joint collaboration between other provincial groups serving children, the
business community, and counselling services.
The Caregiver Support Service Standards has been worked on jointly with
MCFD and was released in the fall of 2006. The BCFFPA provided input into
this document in the areas of Insurance deductibles, FCHA 60 notification,
Cultural requirements and other significant portions of this document.
The Federation continues to work on justification for increases in maintenance
and the Rights of Foster Parents.
BCFFPA has representation on CLBC, the Youth Transitioning Committee,
Connections, an new ministry initiative that keeps youth connected to caring
adults once they leave care, and the LEAP BC Provincial Working Group which
has come out of the Legacies Now Funding as a result of the 2010 Olympics.
