Minutes of February 11th accepted as written
Treasurer's Report
- Regional Accountability - The Treasurer has sent a letter to locals and regional councils outlining the regional and local accountability process expected for those groups that fall under the Federation.
- Fundraising - The Treasurer has contacted the Lottery Corporation with regard to Gaming Access funds. It is his understanding that they look at the overall funding of organizations, and expect that a minimum of 25% of revenue be from non-government sources. The Federation did not meet this criteria in the funding application so will have to re-look at it going forward. The Treasurer clarified question related to the 02/03-audit preparation.
- Vehicle Lottery - no further work has been done on this, due to other commitments. There should be no criteria for 25% non-government funding with this application, as it is a lottery not a grant.
President/Vice President Report
- Northern Trip - The President and Vice President will be traveling to the North region Monday, March 8th to meet with Foster Parents and Ministry staff in 3 areas of the region. This is seen as an important networking opportunity.
- Meeting with Ministry - The Vice President had the opportunity to meet with MCFD Headquarter representatives while she was in Victoria to attend the Federation of Child and Family Services Meetings. Notes from this meeting will be forwarded to the Board.
- The contract for Jan - Mar 04 has been signed
- The contract for 04/05 is being worked on.
- Privacy Workshop - While at the FCFS meetings, the Vice President attended the Privacy Workshop put on by the AFABC. She would like to investigate the purchasing of the policies further before the Federation commits. She will ascertain whether the privacy legislation has an effect on the BCFFPA due to the Federation no longer providing Protocol Support.
- Youth in Care Steering Meeting - the Vice President attended this event, and felt it was a very worthwhile networking event. The FBCYIC is in the process of restructuring their board.
The Vice President met the president of the Youth In Care local for Kamloops. She may be available to speak to foster parents at the BCFFPA AGM. She will work on setting this up.
The contract from January - March 04 has been signed with the yearly contract being worked on. There was a change to the original budget submitted to MCFD as costs for the telephone service will now be included in the budget.
CFFA Poster Contest
1st place winners in each category receive a $50.00 gift certificate and their posters are forwarded to the CFFA for judging at the symposium.
Resource Database
Work is progressing.
AGM
Reps are requested to solicit donations in their regions. The office is currently in the process of requesting auctionable items.
Early bird entries will be eligible to enter a draw for a DVD player.
There was some discussion around having Tanya Helton for a full day workshop rather than two half days.
There will be the ability to purchase workshops only this year, rather than the full package with meals.
Ministry Liaison
There is nothing new to report, with things continuing to be very hectic at HQ. Work plans have been thrown off due to the necessity for more briefing notes to keep the new minister up to date. The MCFD liaisons have told the minister how important the work of the Federation is, and felt that it is very positive that the Federation has been proactive in seeking a meeting with her.
The budget updates are complete and will be ready to sign soon.
The Standards Project has a new format - foster home standards will only be updated as necessary. There will be no major changes. Aboriginal Standards for delegated agencies will meet or beat MCFD standards.
Once Standards are ready to be sent out a cover letter will be included explaining how the newly revised standards fit into future plans of MCFD
T9007 - The decision to send these forms out to PPA recipients was a surprise for MCFD as well as adoptive parents. The MCFD liaison will send information to the BCFFPA Provincial office regarding timeframes for the mailing of these forms.
Family Net
The President continues to work on this.
Regional Concerns
Foster parents continue to be dropped in level once placements are stabilized. This is happening in both ministry and Delegated Agency homes. In other provinces there have been negative issues around decreases to contracts. Contract levels have had to be reimplimented. It is felt that BC has a good system, which the ministry needs to continue to build on.
Contracts are being modified as soon as a bed becomes vacant, by-passing the 60-day notice period. Foster parents continue to suffer a lack of placements as well, particularly in leveled homes, as MCFD regions continue to look at reducing the number of these types of beds.
It is felt that when MCFD transfers children to Delegated Agencies, the dollars for caring of these children is not transferring with them. Some feel that the money is in fact going to the agencies but not to the foster homes under those agencies.
The MCFD liaison requested that there be point form notes on issues and concerns around how current policy is being addressed and forward these notes to her. The information was requested to be sent to the BCFFPA provincial office for compiling.
Foster parent morale is reported to be low in most areas of the province, with many foster homes, planning to discontinue fostering when their current placements leave. The ministry needs to know how wide spread the issue is.
MCFD continues to look at different ways of delivering foster care. It is thought that by building relationships with birth families, this will have a positive impact on the children and youth in care when they are able to see these constructive alliances. In addition to that there is a need for delivery of a different method of fostering and returning CIC home with good supports.