BCFFPA Board of Directors

Teleconference Summary

March 9, 2005

 

 

 

 

1.                  In-Camera – Outcomes:  to continue contracting with David Annis on an as needed basis.

 

2.                  Acceptance of Minutes from February 9, 2005 – accepted as written

 

3.                  Treasurer’s Report

 

a.      The development of a new bursary was discussed.  This bursary will be for birth or adopted children of members.

 

01/03/05: MSC: (Lyn York/Melanie Filiatrault) Move to create a new BCFFPA bursary for birth and adopted children of foster parent members unanimous

 

02/03/05: MSC:  (Lyn York/Sheila Davis) Move to allocate $15,000 to BCFFPA bursary unanimous

 

4.                  President’s Report

 

a.      Reports Submitted

                                                               i.      Social Worker Week flyer has gone out to resource offices

                                                             ii.      FAFP Doll Project report has been sent to the board

                                                            iii.      Hollyburn Family Services Newsletter report submitted to Hollyburn

                                                           iv.      CFFA Report Submitted for the March issue of their newsletter

                                                             v.      Annual Reports are due from reps and board members by April 15, 2005

b.      Meetings Attended

                                                               i.      Child and Youth Office – The Vice President and President met with the Child and Youth Office.  CYO is meeting with various stakeholder groups throughout the province regarding problems within the system.  The BCFFPA will be receiving a copy of the final report.

                                                             ii.      FCFS – The President attended. Ian Mass received an award for excellence.  One of the discussions at the meeting was that MCFD is not on the government’s radar, therefore it is difficult for stakeholders that  FCFS  represents to get noticed and identified, as needing increased funding.

 

FCFS will be bringing up issues of concern as the election approaches.  This has already started with individuals within the Child Welfare field stepping forward to address the issue.  This has now gone to the media.

c.      Upcoming Meetings

                                                               i.      FAN (Fostering and Adoption Networking) the next meeting is April 4, 2005

                                                             ii.      Doll Project – Hon. Stan Hagan is accepting a doll on April 7^th, at the FAFP offices

                                                            iii.      Database – the database is now up and running.  The committee continues to meet as needed to discuss other potential projects related to the database.

                                                           iv.      FPSSS web site states that only one foster parent on the contract take the mandatory FP education course.  This goes against MCFD policy and will be brought to the liaison when he attends the call.

 

5.                  Ongoing Business

a.      Legal Custody Issue – The Vice President will bring the matter to the ministry liaison as MCFD should be giving clear information related to the pro’s and con’s of foster parents taking legal custody of their cic’s

b.      Lift Update – materials related to the issue have been received, and costs are now being looked at.

c.      Programs and Services – bring forward for next call

d.      Interior Macro Regional Council update – the council report was included with the last minutes.  The next meeting is the 15^th of March.  There will also be a  letter going out informing foster parents from the Interior that there will be a meeting held Thursday, May 26^th during the AGM weekend.

e.      Macro Regional Model & Criteria – The Vice President will be using the template from the Interior team to set this up.

f.        Training Update – Grief and Loss training will take place on the 10^th and 11^th of March and the 17^th and 18^th of March.

g.      Provincial Contract – this is being worked on with MCFD.  Have not heard about the contract or OTO’s to date

h.      Automatic Membership – this has been put on hold as time is needed to organize the proposal for MCFD.

i.        AGM – will be recognizing foster parents.  The President is working with the Youth in Care to bring in a speaker from their group for the AGM.  The President has written a letter asking ADM Jeremy Berland to attend.  The workshops are firmed up. Delegates were asked to donate items from their regions for the raffles, auctions etc.  There are several door prizes received so far.

j.        ACT Now – the committee has asked for a letter outlining the BCFFPA’s role on this committee.

k.      Youth in Care – no report.  The President attended the steering committee function on the March 4^th and March 5^th.  She found the group to be very enthusiastic overall with a lot of good ideas.  Youth in Care brought their foster doll to the meeting.  The youth were asked about adoption bio’s being placed in our InfoLetters.  They were strongly against this as they felt it was inappropriate. 

 

6.                  Ministry Liaison Report

a.      Caregiver Support Standards – Feedback was requested from the board by March 15 along with feedback from the advocacy pamphlet.  A list of requests for changes was sent to Wayne.  The plan is to release this document in mid April, after which training will take place in all the regions.

b.      6-bed policy – Some wording changes are needed .  Caregiver Support Service Standards has included a piece on 6 bed capacity as well.  If there is no resolution to issues within regions it should be brought to the provincial table, however MCFD is optimistic that issues can be resolved within the regions.

c.      Protocols have been signed off within the regions.  The BCFFPA has requested copies of each region’s protocols.

d.      The ministry has discontinued the disbursement of recognition pins for foster parents.  MCFD will try set some money aside to continue the practice.

e.      The ADM is exploring the idea of setting up a center of excellence.  This is in the early stages of discussion.  He will be wanting input from MCFD staff, and directors who provide services under CFCS as well as those who receive the services.  Beginning in May or June a consultation process will be started, with organizations invited to have input.  Paul Pallan is leading the project.

 

7.                  Regional Updates

a.      There is a concern on the island that the service provider FPSSS is no longer requiring all foster parents who have signed and FCH agreement to undertake the mandatory 53 hours of training.  This is not HQ instigated or approved.  MCFD Division will look into the issue.

b.      The Vancouver Coastal Foster Parents have an upcoming meeting with MCFD at the regional level to bring forward concerns.