BCFFPA Board of Directors
Teleconference Summary
September 18, 2006
1.
Minutes of August 14th accepted as amended
2.
Treasurer’s Report
The financial report will be forwarded to the board.
3.
President’s Report
a.
Meetings Attended
i.
Database meeting. The Agency Agreement has now been signed.
Upgrades to information continue to take place.
ii.
Provincial Retention and Recruitment Working Group meeting,
August 31st.
1.
This committee has now been struck. It will be divided into two
provincial groups Retention and Recruitment, which will also be
comprised of regional groups. Several recruitment tools are being
developed for foster family month.
iii.
Provincial Education Committee September 14th
1.
The initial meeting of this committee took place. As it is a
provincial committee. Claude Cuff is the provincial designate.
iv.
Youth Transitioning Committee
1.
The Vice President is attending on behalf of the BCFFPA
2.
Came out of CPOC – encompasses all people involved in a youth’s
life and looks at what services and supports will be available once
they reach 19. There is some debate on when to start working on
independence some believing that earlier is better. This is being
piloted in the Fraser region for between 12 and 20 youth. It looks
at permanency, identified resources etc.
3.
The Vice President met with the FAFP for the Roots of our Culture
Committee. The video is not completed yet, and will unfortunately
not be available prior to the FAFP AGM
4.
Provincial Smoking Committee the BCFFPA Smoking Committee
Chairperson, Rick Nelson. Linda Menheer of MCFD is the lead on
this committee. The next issue will be to message it to Foster
Parents. There will be monthly meetings until March 2007 as there
are some deliverables which need working through.
v.
CLBC Meeting
1.
– The Fraser Foster Parents met with CLBC to find out what
services will be available for their children.
b.
Upcoming Meetings
i.
Minister Christensen meeting September 22 at his request
ii.
Science World Media Event October 4
01/09/06: MSC: (Melanie Filiatrault) Move to Donate $250.00 to Canuck Place carried
4.
Old Business
02/09/2006: (Sheila Davis) Move that the CFFA committee members shall claim expenses as
per the BCFFPA Financial Policy. carried
a.
Education Committee
a.
This is a provincial advisory committee – the minutes will be distributed by
MCFD shortly
b.
The idea is to look at pre and inservice training and how it needs to be brought
up to current standards through remodeling and amendments. The Pride
program is a possibility as most at the meeting agreed that the 53 hour training
program has become somewhat of a dinosaur. There are 13 or 14 at the table.
MCFD has developed the Terms of Reference, and will collate tasks and send
out to develop groups to take on some of those tasks. The next meeting is
scheduled for October 16th. The Pride Program will be looked at by the
committee decide if it is a viable model to follow. This would move things
forward quickly.
i.
The BCFFPA Education Committee Chairpersons role is to participate
in the meetings and make brief reports to the board on the working of
the committee to ensure that an exchange of information can take
place between the committee and the regions. Other people from the
BCFFPA may be on the committee depending on wants and needs.
The provincial committee will become more of an advisory committee
b.
Regional Delegates – the Regional Delegates feel that they need to meet separately in
addition to the regular meetings. The first meeting is set for September 27th at 7:00
pm via teleconference.
c.
The Vancouver Coastal Delegated wanted to know where the board is with regard to
the 2002 audit and any recommendations made by the ministry. The Audit is
available from the Ministry web site. Many of the recommendations are now
completed. All board members were encouraged to review those recommendations.
d.
The recommendations from the AGM are being worked on as well.
e.
The Vancouver Regional Delegate suggested that all Goals and Objectives be
reviewed on a semi-annual basis. He also feels that the Executive Committee needs
to delegate more. The executive felt that that is a good idea to have board members
who are knowledgeable of the issues and can commit to attending all meetings on
committees.
5.
CFFA Committee
a.
Sent out a committee report.
b.
The conference logo is in its second phase. The marketing specialist is sending
suggestions to the artist for a second run.
c.
The conference coordinator is trying to create a sponsorship package to send to
potential sponsors. She is also looking at potential donations.
d.
An invitee list needs to be developed. The board was asked to send suggestions to
the office.
e.
BCFFPA is taking care of all workshop planning, and is keeping the CFFA
informed.
6.
Provincial Liaison Report
a.
The process of reportable circumstances was discussed. There are still many
concerns about unfounded allegations following foster parents for years. There
needs to be a way of reporting to the PGT when the allegations are unfounded. A
meeting will be set up with the PGT for September 22
nd
to obtain clarification.
b.
The language of reporting needs to be changed. Unfounded is still open to
interpretation. The issue of “protocol” needs to be looked at by the Provincial
Retention Committee. Annette will also bring the issue to the attention of the
Directors.
7.
Regional Reports
a.
Vancouver Coastal – The delegate is starting to get back into meetings with the
local associations. Training requests are coming in. He will look into what Foster
Parent Appreciation events are being planned.
b.
Interior – There is a meeting with the local delegates planned for next week. The
delegate will bring up several issues discussed at the provincial level
c.
North – The delegate reported that there has not been a lot of contact with
members over the summer. There has been an issue arise around the
confidentiality of the reporter when complaints are made and the issue goes to
court. This needs to be looked at. This is a complex legal issue and is a very
serious concern for foster parents. This issue will be brought to the retention
committee. The courts could provide safeguards for foster parents. There needs
to be a case made to the legal justice system. The duty to report is there without
any protection for the reporter.
d.
Island – The delegate did not have much contact with foster parents over the
summer. There are still some problems with Protocols.
The Delegates were asked to have their regional reports in as soon as possible for inclusion in the
newsletter.
03/09/06:MSC: (Willy) Move to advertise through media outlets other than Rogers Media
for advertising foster family month. carried
The Rogers media was covered through a reimbursement from MCFD in the contract. The other
advertisements would come from BCFFPA funds.
Next Meetings Monday October 16th 12:30-2:3- PM
