BCFFPA Board of Directors

Teleconference Summary

October 17, 2005

1.      Minutes of September 19^th, 2005

a.        accepted as written

2.      Treasurer’s Report

a.       Motion re Special Olympics funding

01/10/05: MCS: (Lyn York) Move to have an annual bursary of $5000 for 10 foster family members  to receive up to $500 to cover costs for a specific child to train for the Special Olympics.  Carried with Rick Nelson abstaining

Discussion – This bursary would be to assist CIC’s to train for the Special Olympics.  A question was raised around whether CLBC gives money to assist, and whether the Standards are changing to absolve CLBC from paying for recreational activities. 

b.      Motion re Orientation Kits for new foster parents

02/10/05: MSC: (Melanie Filiatrault) Move to allocate monies to produce 400 new foster parent orientation kits.  Total cost not to exceed $2500. Carried – Rick Nelson abstained

The  BCFFPA has requested MCFD since February 2005 for additional monies to develop these kits, with no decision from MCFD to date.  It was decided that, as the kits are a valuable information tool for new foster parents and a needed resource, the BCFFPA would provide the initial funding and will continue to lobby MCFD for further financial resources.

c.       Motion re Funding for Regional Delegates

03/10/05: MSC: (Lyn York) Move that BCFFPA is to provide $300 per region to assist Regional Delegates to offset cost of travel to foster parent functions and meetings with the approval of the provincial executive committee.  Carried

It was felt that due to lack of dollars in the regions and the importance of the Regional Delegates being able to attend meetings,  that the BCFFPA should assist in covering some of the costs.

This will be re-looked at in the 2006/07 fiscal year and does not have any bearing on the previous motions to provide up to $600 per region for networking and mail costs with the approval of the executive.

3.      President’s Report

a.       Meetings Attended

                                                               i.      FCFS – Minutes were sent to the Board

                                                             ii.      Richmond Inn – did a site visit to the Richmond Inn for 2007 AGM. Will negotiate and make a decision.

                                                            iii.      Kiwanis Club – Met with the Langley Kiwanis Club and will be receiving a donation of $750 to apply to the Camps for Kids Fund.

b.      Upcoming Meetings

                                                               i.      Database meeting is set for October 18^th to finalize the agency agreement

                                                             ii.      Foster Doll meeting to be held October 27^th to finalize that October 31^st event. This event is the foster doll repatriation ceremony.  The BCFFPA is supplying the food.

c.       Foster Family Month Update

                                                               i.      Radio Ad developed to recognize foster parents.  Letters will be mailed from MCFD this week

4.      Old Business

a.       Youth Addiction Services –there appears to be many services listed throughout the province.  The task has been given to the reps to find out what services are available in their areas and forward the information to the office. BF in November.

b.      Advisory Information – no feedback received. The board was encouraged to send the information to the office as they think of things to add.

c.       Survey – Meeting to be held to discuss the disseminating of information from the survey

d.      Membership Assistance for New Foster Parents –Bring Forward in November

e.       Macro Regional Report – to be provided prior to the November conference call.

5.      New Business

a.       Respite List – This issue was discussed and it was decided that this is a regional issue

b.      Policy and Procedures redraft of motion from August 31, 2005 – a rewording of the previous motion was suggested due to clarity.  The original motion with changes will be distributed  B/F in November.

c.       First Call Rep – The Treasurer offered to act as our liaison and to receive information and bring anything of importance to the Board’s attention.  She may attend relevant meetings as her time permits

d.      Vancouver Island Rep – Louise Dol was appointed as the new Vancouver Island Delegate.  The Secretary will contact her to inform her.

6.      Ministry Liaison

a.       Policy and Standards Drafts – Annette will send a new draft this week to the office with tracked changes included

b.      Foster Parent Support Line Newsletter – MCFD is Addressing.

c.       53 hours of training – childcare costs – The coverage of childcare costs for foster parents attending the 53 hour training was discussed.  Annette was not sure if there was anything in policy around this.  It was felt that there should be some guidelines around the issue included in Standards.  The Vancouver Coastal Delegate will check if there is any further information as he was on the Education Committee when the training was being developed.  There is a need to support caregivers with childcare costs as it leads to retention.

d.      Mileage Rate Increase – In the August 3 meeting it was felt that there was support for this issue from ministry.  This is still being looked at as the ADM felt there is not money in the budget.  The Federation has reported to foster parents that it would be looked at after the end of September, however it appears that the ministry believes they were making a decision in the fall, which ends December 21st.  It was also clarified that although the provincial government employees receive $.43 per KM and foster Parents receive $.20 per km it was not provincial government employees who were increased to $.52 it was Federal government employees.  The Federal government itself is recommending $.37 per km as a standard. 

e.       Provincial table – there has been no headway on setting this up to date.  Bring forward for November.

f.        Number of new foster parents – There were 100 new foster parents coming on board each month.  Wayne will break down the information as some may be re-contracting and may actually not be 1^st time foster parents.

g.       Modification Agreement rewording – the BCFFPA lawyer feels that the wording of the contract does not need changing as it is clear.  Clarification will become part of policy and standards for MCFD workers to follow.

7.      Regional Updates

a.       53 hours training – Interior does not allow non foster parent relief workers to take the training, however in some cases it is possible for MCFD to make an exception.  There is a need to be flexible when the children the relief provider is caring for are high needs. 

b.      Foster Family Month has had no recognition from the ministry to date, however there are some plans for that this week.  The MCFD Liaison has been working on the issue with the Public Affairs Bureau for several months.  She will ask PAB for a schedule of advertisement recognizing foster parents.  Regional MCFD offices have ordered a quantity of the pins.  The Federation is expecting to receive a letter from MCFD regarding which events the Minister will attend, however no letter has been received yet.

c.       Public Trustee – The MCFD Liaison has not received any updates regarding the issue of all protocols now going to the Public Trustee.  There was supposed to be a meeting October 17^th, but it was put off due to the job action. He felt that this practice is part of Standards.  This issue will be brought forward for the  November call.

Next call November 21^st 9:30 – 11:30 am