Feedback Requests
- Standards - The ministry will give the Federation an opportunity for feedback once the document is in the final draft stage, as per the request from the Board made to the BCFFPA liaison
- Independent Living - This continues to be an issue. The Fed of BC Youth in Care is aware that the BCFFPA is working on this issue. Delegates were requested to continue requesting information from foster parents in their areas.
Treasurer's Report
A form will be designed to assist the regions and locals in continuing to report finances such as membership monies and fundraising dollars which are currently the sole source of income for these groups
Fundraising - ATS - the program is now winding down for the year. The total received for 02/03 was $18,730, and to date for 03/04 we have received $25,500.
President/Vice President Report
FAN - (Fostering and Adoption Network) A second meeting took place. The group is preparing a letter to Jeremy Berland to request funding for development and delivery of a train the trainers module around grief and loss related to transitioning of CICs to family or adoption.
Lists regarding what types of training the groups have developed were distributed. These meetings continue to be very positive and informative.
Privacy Training - The AFABC has developed a workshop and policy around privacy legislation. The package is available for $375.00. This training will be available at FCFS meetings in Victoria. The Vice President will be attending this workshop.
01/02/04: MSC: Based on Sheila Durnford's evaluation, move to purchase the privacy policy developed by AFABC for $357.00. Unanimous
Meeting Request - Frank and Sheila sent a letter to Minister Clark requesting a meeting during the time Sheila is in Victoria. Unfortunately the minister is out of town at that time. Meetings will be set up in the month of March. The minister's office has been given available dates for Sheila.
InfoLetter - Delegates were requested to submit their report no later than March 5, 2004 for inclusion in the Newsletter.
Office Move
Preparations are underway with the move date set for March 2, 2004.
Name Change
Discussion to take place at the Strategic Planning meeting June 9 & 10th. A decision to change the name could then be made by the membership at the 2005 AGM.
Parenting Wisely
A board member is attending these classes with a view to becoming a facilitator. She felt that the course was interesting albeit expensive. She will challenge the negative slant given to some questions. One question is, "Do you yell at your kids?' She will suggest something like, "What is the reaction of a foster child when someone yells at them?
It was decided to put the purchase of the Parenting Wisely CD ROMs on hold until the member has completed the course.
CFFA Poster Contest
Information is available on the web site and will be included in our next InfoLetter.
AGM - Kamloops
The Board of Directors Strategic Planning Meeting will begin at 1PM on Wednesday June 9th and all day June 10th.
Representatives from the FBCYIC, AFABC, FAFP, and MCFD may be asked to join the strategic planning session. It is hoped that Ian Mass of the Children and Youth Office will have a liaison role with the BCFFPA. He may attend the Strategic Planning Meeting
The board will be thinking of options re potential plans for strategic shifts, as well as why the strategic planning session needs to happen, prior to the next teleconference.
Workshops
Peter Dudding - Child Welfare League of Canada will be the keynote speaker and will facilitate two half day interactive Focus groups
Tanya Helton - Cedar Cottage will present on Attachment and Bonding
Leslie Nelson from the Aboriginal Federation will do a workshop on Aboriginal Culture and Identity
Phoenix Centre will discuss identification of drug use among teens.
The theme is "Keeping Afloat in Changing Times".
There are several possibilities being discussed around a prize draw for early bird registrations.
Dinner for Paul Pallan
Two board members attended the First Call fundraising dinner to honor Paul Pallan.
Regional Concerns
Island - The delegate for the Island Region asked if other regions are experiencing a lack of placements and whether this is due to less children coming into care, or children going to the Aboriginal authorities.
The ministry continues to recruit new homes while it no longer uses skilled and experienced homes. It appears that recruitment in some areas is not getting a good response.
Lack of placements may be due to the fact that MCFD is pulling CCO children and sending them homes after many years in care. These children may be at high risk, however it appears that the ministry is then not taking them back into care.
Interior - The Roots program is going strong. An issue was brought up at a Partnership Meeting, were suggestion came forward to have resource workers included in meetings with Aboriginal Authorities and foster parents. It appears that the ministry is backing out of responsibility to kids in care.
There also continues to be concerns around confidentiality with this program, as all parties involved in the child's life (birth family, extended family, band, etc.,) are made aware of all the particulars when there is a protocol investigation, even when the allegations are unfounded.
It was noted that the ROOTS program might denigrate other cultures. However it was pointed out that although initially the ROOTS program will be completed, going forward other cultural roots will also be looked at.
The President and Vice President will travel to the Northern region the 2nd week of March, and will meet with foster parent groups and ministry in Dawson Creek, Prince George, and Terrace areas.
The Vice President will attend the Region G AGM in Salmon Arm the first weekend in April. She will combine it with a trip to the Executive Hotel in Kamloops, in order to review the venue for the provincial AGM. The Okanagan FPA will try to put together a meeting with FOK foster parents to meet with her as well during that time period.
Next meeting scheduled for March 3rd 9:30 - 11:30