BCFFPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEETING SUMMARY
NOVEMBER 23 & 24, 2007
November 23, 1-4 pm
1.
Introductions
a.
The President went around the room and thanked those present through
embracing the positive qualities they give to the board.
b.
C. Cuff submitted his written resignation to the board and left the meeting.
2.
Acceptance of Minutes October 18, 2006
H. Bayes moved that the minutes be accepted as revised. This was carried
unanimously.
3.
Additions/Changes
a.
Add Conference Call Phone to Treasurer’s report
b.
Legal Indemnity added to Treasurer’s Report
4.
Treasurer’s Report
a.
Youth Christmas Party – The BCFFPA Staff along with FBCYIC and
FAFP will be hosting the Second Annual Youth Out of Care Christmas
Dinner. The board was asked to donate between $250 and $300 to offset
costs.
01/12/06: MSC: (T. Leboe) Move that the BCFFPA donate $300 to the Youth Out of
Care Christmas Dinner. Carried unanimously
02/12/06: MSC: (T. Leboe) Move that the BCFFPA cover the mileage for non board
members to attend the November 24th CLBC meeting with the BCCFFPA Board of
Directors. Carried
There will be one caregiver coming from out of town and the rest are local so the costs
are not high. The board agreed that input is needed from other perspectives.
There was some discussion around the staff time being used to carry out the wishes of the
Provincial Retention and Recruitment Committees. Tom will look into requesting the use
of some of the $250,000 to help offset
S. Durnford looked at the Legal Indemnity Information as requested by the Board at the
October Conference Call and sent her recommendations to J. Wale. Those
recommendations have now been incorporated, and she recommends acceptance. The
board had read the information and had no further comment.
5.
President’s Report
a.
The Office will close at noon, December 22, and will reopen January 2,
2007
b.
Christmas cards will be purchased and distributed by our receptionist
c.
The President will write a letter to Minister Hagen thanking him for his
assistance in making the community partnerships happen
d.
Minister Christensen has agreed that he will write letters to all Youth in
Care when they graduate from High School. A follow up will be done in
the spring
e.
Directors Code of Conduct – This document was gone over in a Power
Point Presentation. Some suggestions were made for changes. A redraft
will be sent to the board.
6.
CFFA/AGM 2007
a.
CFFA meals will be sponsored by some big name companies. A. Zhou is
working on that.
b.
Decisions have been made with regard to the promotional items. They
will be ordered next week.
c.
L. Dol is the new CFFA rep on the Committee
November 24, 2006
7.
Appointment
a.
L. Dol is appointed Education Chairperson and will report back to the
Board of Directors. The next meeting is January 25th, and 26th, 2007.
8.
Vice President’s Report
a.
The Vice President attended the Youth in Care Steering Committee. The
board of the Youth In Care Network has concluded that they need to
change their structure and have an Executive Director. T. Lum will not be
applying for the position and will be leaving the YICN effective June of
2007.
b.
The Provincial Retention Committee is now up and running. The next
meeting is January 24th. The committee has decided to take the top few
issues raised at the Provincial Partnership meeting in May and form
groups to deal with these issues individually. Some regions are already
working on various issues and may form the main committees with input
from other areas of the province. At the top of the list is respite and relief.
There may be some contract reform as well. W. Matheson was very clear
that now is the time to move forward on this. Other issues were Mental
Health Services for Children and Youth, Protocols and Quality of Care.
9.
World Forum
a.
H. Bayes attended on behalf of the BCFFPA. She found the meetings to
be very full and informative. She will provide a report for the newsletter.
b.
The youth felt that they were not listened too and were only there as a
token. The next World Forum will be held in India. We will investigate
costs to attend.
c.
The Executive Director will also look at costs to attend IFCO
10.
Ministry Liaison
a.
MCFD is discussing Transition Housing with BC Housing.
b.
A. Harding was informed that C. Cuff had resigned.
c.
CSSS has some issues which will need redrafting.
11.
Regional Updates
a.
Fraser Region – D. Drewitz is taking over the Kids Up Front work. She
reported that it is very time consuming. She will be working with L. Rose
from Hollyburn.
b.
Interior
i.
This region will be holding a conference call the week of the 28th.
H. Bayes reported on the burning down of a foster parent’s home
in the region and the huge swell of community support for there.
ii.
H. Bayes also reported that Partnership meetings are still taking
place, however not as frequently in the Cariboo and Kootenays as
in other places. Kelowna, Salmon Arm, and Kamloops are still
holding Professional Development Meetings.
iii.
Relief Issues in the CSSS will be looked at further as A. Harding is
receiving the same information. The new modifications will be out
by December 4th. The issue of overages in homes due to sleep
overs was taken out of context and needs clarification, as does the
issue of home studies for respite providers. Annette reported that
the Insurance and 60 days notice portions did not cause any
problems. The other concern was around Restricted caregivers
requiring a full home study just as Regular homes do. This was
deemed important, and these homes will be getting some training.
Kith and Kin and other out of care homes will be getting a more
rigorous assessment as well going forward.
iv.
Legal Indemnity Policy – A. Harding will check with M. Herring
regarding the release of the Legal Indemnity piece which was
going to be released December 1, 2006. She will send formal
notification through the office.
c.
North
i.
Levels of Care is still an issue in the North. The provincial
retention group is working on it. New people are coming in at
Level 3 which seasoned caregivers do not get leveled. This is a
huge systemic problem which needs to go through the Retention
Committee and to the Executive Committee at MCFD. There is a
need to build incentives to retain high level caregivers not just
keep hiring inexperienced caregivers and designating them at high
levels.
ii.
Daycare – this issue is receiving attention and an update will be
available shortly. This will be an addition to the CSSS. An info
package will be developed to outline the process. The $100 for the
daycare for children under 6 goes to the government, not the foster
parents.
d.
Vancouver Island
i.
There continue to be major concerns with regard to Protocols and
Q of C.
ii.
Certain areas of the Island do not do Partnership meetings still.
iii.
Annette noted what needs to change and will raise it with M.
Sieben. It was agreed that a huge piece of work needs to be
undertaken.
12.
Raconteur – J. Randall
a.
J. Randall distributed packages of information to the board. The board
agreed that there is a need to raise the profile of fostering in general and to
re-brand the organization, there was a request to clearly outline the costs
associated with undertaking the project. It was pointed out that each of the
last three years have seen $20,000 allocated to networking and
communication out in the regions. This has not happened. This money
could be used to cover any costs associated with this venture. Jim will
clearly outline the costs and will forward it to the office for distribution to
the board.
13.
CLBC
a.
Jean McDonald and Susan Graham from CLBC attended to share the
direction of CLBC and to answer questions and concerns.
b.
Guests included Cheryl McLeod, Sylvaine Le Feve, Bruce Meorke, and
Jan Chapman.
c.
CLBC has been in place since 1985 to serve people with Developmental
Disabilities. CLBC is a Crown Agency reporting to Min Christensen.
There are approximately 393 CLBC homes currently in place. 139-140
are CCO’s , 10 are adoption or family relations, and 245 are under Special
Needs Agreements. CLBC serves approximately 8500 families.
d.
Respite is a big issue for birth families to enable them to stay together.
e.
Heather Bayes gave a presentation regarding CLBC issues in the interior.
f.
CLBC will develop a pamphlet for the BCFFPA to distribute to
caregivers.
g.
Jan Chapman was appointed the BCFFPA rep to CLBC
