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Financial Statements to December 31/05 to be sent to board for discussion

The new bookkeeper is working out much better than the old service.

Agency Agreement – there are some concerns around the wording of the

ownership portion of the document. It was felt that there needs to be some

rewording to increase ownership of the Federation as the majority of

funding has come from the BCFFPA. The committee would have input

into changes but the majority ownership would stay with the Federation.

There also needs to be more detail about the dissolution of the partnership.

Trade and Vocational Bursary – The amount of the bursary was suggested

as $500 per year. A concern arose around the inclusion of questions

related to living arrangements, however after discussion around the

perceptions of the seriousness of the process and how it engages the

applicant it was decided that if anyone has further feedback it should go to

Claude for inclusion. Copies of the draft to the board this afternoon.

Locals – there are still issues of local boards not having members in good

standing. The office is sending out letters to existing locals reiterating this

and will be holding funds until such time as the local boards are all in

Request for $200 from a local. This is different than the $600 for regions

agreed to by the board. This local is currently not in good standing,

however their request will be granted once all the proper membership dues

Youth Christmas Party – The Operation Manager reported that this was a

very exciting and gratifying event both for the volunteers and the youth.

They all appeared to have a good time, and the drivers reported that the

youth were very pleased that this was done for them, and that they hope it

will happen again next year. There was a lot of food left over, some of

which was sent with the youth, and the rest was donated to a needy family.

Further discussion took place around fundraising for programs particularly

in the film and television industry. One avenue may be the union of BC

It was discussed that perhaps each legal local association should get a one

time only to assist in operations. This will be discussed in February.

Public Guardian and Trustee – The PGT requested a meeting to explain

the protocols. He is not interested in receiving all protocols. A report will

be sent to the board from the minutes of that meeting. There is another

meeting scheduled for February 27th with the PGT, Paul Jenkinson from

the SW Union, members of the BCFFPA Executive, and members of the

Survey – It is hoped that the draft outcomes report will be given to the

Policy and Procedures – a letter is to be sent to all local Presidents

reiterating police around who can speak on behalf of the organization.

Membership Assistance for New Foster Parents – hold for ministry liaison

InfoLetter Reports are due by February 15th for a mail out by Feb 28th, due

Board Structure – members see a need for the board to meet face to face

more than once during the fiscal year. This will be discussed at the

February meeting. It was also expressed that this is a working board and

Caregiver Support Service Standards – Draft will come to the Federation

office by January 13th for review. There is now information around

regional policy development. Other small amendments will be sent

through the office as necessary. MCFD is hoping for a final release by the

Membership – free to new caregivers. This is still on the agenda and

discussion regarding possible funding will be based on the number of new

caregivers coming in monthly. There is a recognized need to include new

caregivers and support them when they begin. This leads to retention.

The concept is that the offer would come from the ministry to new

caregivers to make them understand that the Federation and MCFD have a

strong working relationship. One issue which would need addressing

however is the fact that there are two foster parent organizations in the

province. The Federation would also have to increase the benefit for

membership in order to retain the members. The issue will go on the

budget table. Include in the Business Plan, for discussion noting that 2/3

of dollars received go to support local foster parent associations.

53 hours training – Childcare costs are included. This will be included in

the new standards documents, as it is outlined in the CFCS policy.

Regional Managers are accountable to have their staff follow these

policies. The issue of both foster parents having to complete the training

Modification Agreement rewording – it was reiterated that there will be a

plan to look at all needs for administrative amendments which will be

Internal Audit and Review Branch is looking at all contract to see if the

ministry practices follow policy. They are looking at resource worker file

to see if things are being done correctly as poor record keeping is an

Vancouver Coastal – Foster Parents report that they are overwhelmed and

Fraser – 53 hour training is running again, however foster parents are

Interior – Ministry is telling the Agency that protocols are not to be done

by their staff, but by volunteers. There are concerns that partnership

meetings are still not happening, as well as the lack of Regional Protocols.

North – There is not a lot of information to share at this time The Northern

Advisory Committee will be meeting again on January 16th. HQ Rep will

be attending as well as representation from the BCFFPA. In terms of

concerns around supports foster parents are receiving, they feel that they

are not efficient enough at the agency level. The committee is waiting for

word on the 3-year Residential Plan. There is a lot of work being done

with the Aboriginal Authority around this plan. The North Advisory is

Vancouver Island is covering the cost for childcare for the 53-hour

training. There are huge concerns regarding the transfer of information

regarding completion of courses from Camosun to the FPSSS. Foster

Parents have no proof they have completed the training. This is a

provincial issues. The Education will be revisited for clarity regarding

ongoing decision-making and solutions re these lost records. A process is

being developed to prove foster parents have taken the training.

Foster home overcrowding and caregivers are experiencing lack of service

payments. This is an issue for the Provincial Table. There is a need to

make the current system more supportive of foster parents in an effort to

retain these homes. The majority of concerns and difficulties with

caregivers is the fact that the levels model needs to be revamps. Social

Workers are not following the guidelines of the levels where children are

being placed outside of the levels system. The levels system has become a

dinosaur. There is a need to look at the Levels System, dissect it and redo

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   BC Federation of Foster Parent Associations
   207 - 22561 Dewdney Trunk Road, Maple Ridge, BC   V2X 3K1
   Phone: 604 466-7487,   FAX: 604 466-7490   Toll Free: 1-800-663-9999
   email: office@bcfosterparents.ca