Board of Directors

Teleconference Summary

August 11, 2004

1. Introductions of new board members were made

2. Minutes of July 7, 2004 accepted

3. Grief and Loss Training Module was added to item 5

4. Old Business

1. Bursaries

   1. Work is continuing on the rewording of the William Curtis Bursary

2. Web Page

   1. One of three quotes was accepted with work progressing. It is anticipated that the newly revised web page will be up and running by the 21^st of August

3. Office Supplies

   1. Two computer monitors were purchased. The cost was $400.00 for both, a significant saving over the projected costs.

4. Safeguards Brochure

   1. There will be an initial printing of 200. The delegates will take some back to their region for advertising their availability.

5. President’s Report

   1. Meetings Attended

      1. Safe care – this came out of the Secure Care legislation. There is still some discussion around what ages this legislation will target. There will initially be one 5-bed home per region. Youth at risk will stay for a maximum of 30 days and will then be released back into the community after extensive counselling. The Vice President and the President met with this group. They are waiting for a summary, which will be shared when received.

      2. Joint Steering – these meetings have started up again, at the request of MCFD. The Vice President attended by phone, with the President present. It was suggested during the meeting that the agenda of the conference calls be changed to allow the Ministry liaison to come on at the end of the call in order to make the best use of her time.

      3. Lawyer – The President met with the lawyer who will be drafting an opinion letter for the board’s approval. The board discussed the individuals this letter would go to once it is approved. No concrete decision was made at this time. .

      4. Children and Youth Office – The President met with representatives from the Children’s Office. The issue of self-advocacy for foster parents, and children and youth was discussed. The Children’s Office is piloting an advocacy project in the North. The BCFFPA North Delegate will be involved in that pilot. The President indicated that she would like it done in all regions once the North pilot is completed, as foster parents province-wide can benefit from this training. The Federation is willing to become involved.

      5. A proposal for marketing materials for the database launch and open house has been received. The President has met with the individual quoting her and is impressed with her concept.

01/08/04:MSC: (The President Davis) Move to accept Theresa Brodie’s quote for marketing materials for both the database launch and BCFFPA/AFABC open house unanimous

6. David Annis – Dave has provided the board with a quote to assist in moving forward with the outcomes of the Strategic Planning meetings of June 04. The quote is very comprehensive. The board accepted the quote through a motion. It was agreed that the Federation needs assistance to move forward, and that Dave Annis has the knowledge and connections to offer that assistance.

02/08/04:MSC: (Betty Davis) Move to accept Dave Annis’ quote for services related to the strategic planning for the organization unanimous

2. Upcoming Meetings

   1. FCFS – August 23, 2004

   2. Representative from Mexico Child Welfare August 24

   3. New South Wales Child Welfare Representatives September 24

   4. Japanese Delegates, investigating Child Welfare October 1

   5. Jane Morley, Minister Clark, FPSSS, Craig Meredith, Sept. 27-29

3. Correspondence

   1. Now TV asked for the President’s participation on a program they were airing in relation to a fostering couple in the US who have adopted or are fostering 25 children. She was unable to attend in person, however she was on air via telephone. She will write a letter to the speaker thanking him, and letting him know her willingness to participate in future programs

   2. Minister Clark was sent a letter inviting her to take part in the launch of the Resource Database.

   3. The First Nations Urban Community Society has asked for and been given a letter of support for a children’s cultural camp they are applying for funding to support.

   4. FAFP has also asked for a letter of intent supporting one of their projects. This letter has also been sent to them.

   5. The Vice President has sent a letter to a lawyer requesting a legal opinion around the legal ramifications of foster parents taking custody of the children in their care. Members attending the AGM requested this. It is expected that a response should be forthcoming soon. The response will be shared with the board and foster parents.

4. Blackberry

   1. A blackberry was previously approved by the board for the use of the President. She has found it to be less expensive to purchase a cell phone with long distance charges included. The board approved this in lieu of a blackberry.

5. Grief and Loss Training Module

   1. In the Goals and Objectives for 2003/04, a project for development of a grief and loss training module was included subject to funding. There was no funding given. The office has solicited a module from an educator, which is train the trainer based and includes training for foster parents to deal with the issue, and to help their children deal with grief and loss. The board agreed that there is a need to develop a project such as this to aid in communication and to provide services to foster parents.

03/08/04:MSC: ( Rick Nelson) Move to accept Option 2 of the quote for Grief and Loss training in the amount of $3,810.00

6. Treasurer’s Report

Financial Statements – The Treasurer has met with Adrian Jacob’s office and will be meeting with Brian Tipper – Auditor in the near future. She reported that the books are in good order with a healthy balance.

Victoria Foundation – The Treasurer has submitted a letter of intent and is waiting now for an invitation to have a full proposal put forward. This should happen in the next several weeks.

Gaming Access Funds – The Treasurer is in the process of looking at the next application for gaming access funds. The deadline for submission is November 30^th.

7. Aboriginal Doll Project

The Vancouver Coastal delegate is representing the BCFFPA on this committee. She is unavailable for the meeting scheduled for the 18^th of August.

8. Camps for kids

Some starting criteria have been developed. The committee will meet on August 30^th from 3-4 pm

9. Programs and Service to Foster Parents

The North delegate is working on this project, and will be requesting value added services the board feels should be part of this. He will contact Dave Annis for information.

10. Macro Regional Model & Criteria

The Vice President is working on this. The Interior delegate may be part of this committee

11. Interior Macro Region Council Update

The council has built a contact e-mail and fax list for local contacts. The Interior delegate will also be developing a ministry hierarchy and arranging for a teleconference once the summer is over. The Interior Delegate will also be working at developing partnerships in order to address issues in the region.

12. Legal Custody - addressed

13. Database

Will be web based in the next several weeks. Board members will have the opportunity to view it after that time.

14. 2005 AGM Update

This meeting will be held the 26-28 of May 2005 at the Executive Inn. Board members are asked to put forward names of speakers they feel would be valuable and put forward ideas for a theme.

15. Regional Update

Combined with Ministry Liaison Report

16. Ministry Liaison Report

1. Support Services Standards – released in mid-September. There are still some concerns around the child’s plan of care and how it may impact the foster parents financially, as expectations on foster parents are increasing in relation to Aboriginal CIC’s and birth families. This may necessitate extra travel and other expenses. MCFD will be looking at OTO’s to address these POC related issues.

2. Transportation/Mileage Cost Increases – a working group will be established to address this issue. The working group will include foster parents.

3. Ongoing Partnerships – Ministry staff are looking at ways of setting up regular dialogue between foster parents, agencies, and MCFD within the regions in order to be more proactive in dealing with issues.

4. Practice Standards for Foster Homes – this document will experience minor changes. Foster Parent feedback will be requested in relation to missing items, ways of strengthening the document and any minor changes.

5. Education Program – this program requires evaluation, and major updates to the curriculum.

6. Foster Family Month – Minister Clark has indicated that she would like to be directly involved in Foster Family Month. She has been sent a letter from BCFFPA inviting her to be part of the open house and Database launch scheduled for October 29. Ministry staff will receive a copy of the letter, which was sent early in August.

7. CLS Homes – the issue of lack of support to these homes is being addressed by MCFD. This lack of support is tied to the transfer of services. The new standards however, are applicable to all caregivers no matter how their children come in to care.

8. ROOTS Project – It was recognized that MCFD needs to be realistic with regards to foster parent expenses related to the ROOTS Project.

9. Adoption/Legal Custody – some foster parents are finding that due to the lengthy adoption process (2 yrs) in some regions, they are moving to take legal guardianship in order to have their children feel they are wanted.

10. Question was asked if foster parent who was doing high needs babies transfers to the Aboriginal agency, but no longer gets high needs kids, can this foster parent transfer back to MCFD. This is causing highly evolved skills to be under-utilized by MCFD, and the foster parent was encouraged to address the issue.

The board will decide on August 31^st if the September meeting will go forward due to the short time in between.