BCFFPA/MCFD Joint Meeting
August 3, 2005
This is to update you on a meeting held August 3/05 between the BCFFPA, MCFD
and FAFP to discuss issues which the BCFFPA had raised and had come forward
at our last AGM. If you have any questions or would like more information, you
can contact me through the office.
Sheila Durnford
As MCFD is getting ready to implement new Standards for Resource Workers which are
due out by September or October if policy changes need to be made the feeling is that
they need to be done now in order to include them in the Standards.
1.
Contracts – the FAFP will be added to section 8.05 of the FCHA in order to gain
access to names and addresses of caregivers through the Delegated Agencies.
As it could take up to a year to implement it as part of the contract, in the interim
Delegated Agencies will be asked via Standards to add it manually
2.
Modification Agreements –It was agreed that modification agreements are
possible, provided that 60 days notice is given to make the changes. MCFD will
draft the changes and send to the BCFFPA for legal council input.
3.
Monthly Foster Parent Rates – This is a result of a motion coming forward at the
2005 BCFFPA AGM.
MCFD looks at FP rates during budgets yearly. According to MCFD, when the
current rates were initiated they were high in order to provide a cushion for foster
parents and dispense with the use of OTO’s to a large extent. It was agreed that
the cushion has gotten smaller, however when looking at studies done in
Manitoba as well as the current Federal child support rates, MCFD has deemed
that a rate increase at this time is unnecessary.
BCFFPA’s argument is that, while BC has the second or third highest rates in the
country, the cost of living in BC is higher than other provinces. In addition to that,
BC Foster Parents get a block funding which is all encompassing, while foster
parents in other provinces receive base funding and then can apply for OTO’s for
other needs.
It is possible for foster parents to make requests for OTO’s for ongoing costs per
child. New policy changes allow for this. Going forward there may be a need for
an increased number of OTO’s in order for foster parents to not be out of pocket.
It was suggested that the foster parent rate be tied to the cost of living.
In a more practical way, as the BCFFPA and FAFP feel the need for the monthly
foster parent rate to increase, an argument will be made in favour of it. The
BCFFPA and FAFP will undertakes a study for a three-month period that will look
at expenditures of foster parents in all regions (total of 20 homes) over a period
of time in order to help ascertain if there is indeed a need for an increase. Teens
and children will be added to the mix in order to get a true feel for costs. This
information may then be submitted if it can substantiate the need for an increase
in the cost of raising a child.
4.
Mileage Rates – This came forward via a letter from the BCFFPA with a request
and substantiating documentation showing the need for a mileage increase.
Mileage rates have not increased for a number of years, however crude oil prices
and related costs have shown a sharp increase over the recent past. Historically,
foster parents are reimbursed for gas, tires and maintenance, but not for
ownership costs that include insurance, depreciation and licensing. There
appears to be a real willingness on the part of MCFD to address this issue. An
increase will be looked at sometime in the fall once a half year of budgets have
expired, and there is the possibility of getting an accurate assessment related to
any surpluses which could be used to address this issue within this fiscal year. It
was acknowledged that goodwill towards foster parents aids in retention.
5.
Respite Relief - This came forward as a motion at the 2005 BCFFPA AGM –
MCFD acknowledges that policy states respite/relief is paid on a per diem basis
and not by calendar. The method will be standardized throughout the province.
6.
Standards – Once the Standards documents have been revised as per input from
the BCFFPA and other sources, the Federation will receive a final draft prior to
printing. The plan is to finish the revised draft by late August or early September.
