BCFFPA Board of Directors

Teleconference Summary

September 19, 2005

1. August 31, 2005 minutes accepted as written

2. Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer was unable to attend, but will update the board on her work at the October meeting.

3. President’s Report

1. Meetings Attended

   1. Agency Agreement – The Database committee is in the final stages of drafting this agreement. A final draft will come to the board for sign off

   2. Adrian Dix – MCFD critic requested a meeting with the BCFFPA to gain an understanding of how the Federation works. He was sent several back issues of our info letter prior to meeting with the President. He appears to have a good understanding of foster parents and has done his homework. Previous meetings have taken place in past years with the then Liberal Critic for the NDP Christy Clark.

   3. The Treasurer attended the First Call meeting where the Hon. Stan Hagen was present. The minutes of this meeting are on file.

2. Upcoming Meetings

   1. FCFS – This meeting is set for the 22^nd and 23^rd of September. The Minister is to attend this event as well

   2. The President will be attending Foster Parent Appreciation events in the Vancouver and Sunshine Coast areas of Vancouver Coastal Region. To date there has been no word on events taking place in the Kelowna area although Salmon Arm has an open house scheduled. On the Island Nanaimo has something planned with no details available to date.

   3. Foster Parent Appreciation

After discussion the following motions were made:

01/09/05: MSC: (Melanie Filiatrault) Move that a letter comes from the BCFFPA President to appreciate all foster parents in the province, and to be sent to all delegates for distribution to local newspapers carried

The President will write a letter to the Editor and send a copy to the delegates for distribution to their local newspapers

02/09/05: MSC: (Melanie Filiatrault) Move that we circulate through Rogers Cable an ad of appreciation for foster parents in BC carried

4. Old Business

   1. Youth Addictions Services –When this task is completed, the information will be added to the database as well as compiled in a report.

   2. Advisory Information – no topics have come forward from the Board to date. Board members were reminded to send the topics to the office.

      1. Some issues identified already are Standards, Protocols, Education.

   3. Survey – This has been sent out with responses coming in quickly.

   4. Web Page – The decision has been made with the successful bidder receiving a letter within the next several days.

   5. Membership Assistance for New Foster Parents – There was discussion around whether MCFD should be encouraged to pay for new foster parents’ first year’s membership. This will ensure that new caregivers are immediately connected to the Federation. It was suggested that Orientation Kits for new foster parents could be sent at the same time, thereby getting the information around BCFFPA services to new foster parents. It was suggested that if MCFD is unable to cover the costs that the Federation make a decision around doing so. This is a win/win for all. It is also necessary to find out how many newly approved foster homes there are in the province.

Bring forward for October call.

It was clarified that any members who took out a two-year membership in 2004/05 would not be eligible to be included in the 2005/06 draw.

6. Macro Report – The region was requested to provide a template on how to set up a Macro Regional Council. This will assist other regions to set up their own Macro Councils. The Macro Board chairperson will complete prior to the October call and send to the office.

5. New Business

   1. ATS Marketing – Fundraising will begin soon for a Christmas Show scheduled in Kelowna for December 22, 2005. Information is posted on the website.

6. Regional Updates

   1. Foster Family Month – Quesnel is putting together a cultural dinner to recognize foster parents. More information will be available after the Northern Advisory Meeting.

Although MCFD feels it is a good idea for the Minister to attend as many foster functions as possible in October, the legislature is sitting so he will need to get permission to be excused.

The President will write a letter to the Premier informing him of the importance of Minister Hagen attending these functions.

The President will contact MCFD Division for clarification around;

Support Standards

The Provincial Table

Number of new foster parents coming on monthly

Modification agreement rewording

There is an issue in the Interior Region with regard to modification of Regional Agency Contracts to include an Aboriginal worker out of the dollars allocated for all foster parent support. There was a question regarding whether there is a new mandate for Aboriginal Authorities to be taking services away from other caregivers.

7. Ministry Liaison

   1. The FP Makes a Difference pamphlets have been produced and will be received shortly. Both are available on the MCFD Website.

   2. During the budget process there were no material changes to MCFD funding. Division was not aware if there will be extra money for aboriginal homes or services in order to alleviate the issue of money being taken away from foster parents overall in order to specifically target aboriginal resources. Board members fear that this will lead to further retention and recruitment problems. As well, some aboriginal homes are voicing concerns around being singled out for special treatment.

   3. A note has been sent to MCFD regions saying that if there is an interest in the minister attending functions, they should send a note to his office. Division has forwarded a note to the Minister’s office asking which events he will be attending as well.

   4. Policy and Standards will be released in November. The board will receive the draft soon

   5. Modification Agreement issues regarding 60 day notice – A policy directive will go out to MCFD regions in November. This may not necessitate a change to the contract, but will let them know how HQ would like the 60 day notice for a modification to an agreement handled.

   6. Provincial Table – There is no update on when this will start however it still remains an important item for HQ

The President will get in contact with CLBC to ask for an update report for the next issue of InfoLetter.

Next Conference Call Monday, October 17^th 7:30 – 9:30 PM