BCFFPA Board of Directors Meeting
Summary
February 9, 2007
1.
Acceptance of Minutes
01/02/07: MSC: (H. Bayes) Move to accept the minutes of January 15, 2007 as written. Carried
2.
Treasurer’s Report
a.
Tom addressed the draft budget presented to MCFD February 8, 2007. The budget
sees an increase in MCFD funding for fiscal 2007/08, 08/09, and 09/10. It was noted
that there are monies included to address the legislation of the Foster Parents Rights
document. It was also clarified by Annette that the grant funding is able to have
administration fees attached to it.
b.
Simply Accounting – a suggestion was made at the January board meeting that a
Simply Accounting bookkeeping system be purchased for installation and use
beginning April 1, 2007
02/02/07:MSC: (T. Leboe) Move to change the Accounting system to Simply Accounting
beginning April 1, 2007. Carried
03/02/07:MSC: (W. Neal) Move to accept the Treasurer’s report. Carried
3.
President’s Report
a.
Goals and Objectives
i.
Goals and Objectives were reviewed by the Board.
1.
Budgeting and Bookkeeping Tool – Two budgeting tools will be
looked at. Names of developers to come to the office.
2.
Web Tracking – The office will ensure that going forward, hits to the
3.
S. Durnford will provide the office with the CFFA Safeguarding book
with a view to developing on-line training for Safeguards for Foster
Parents
4.
Strategies for increasing membership were briefly discussed
b.
Business Plan
i.
The Board was asked to provide feedback for the March 5, 2007 Board
Meeting
c.
Committees
i.
Heather Bayes – Membership Committee
ii.
Nominations Debbie Drewitz – Heather Bayes, Louise Dol
iii.
Rick Nelson – Communications Committee
d.
Updates
i.
Respite and Relief payments – there is still a lag in payments despite the
ministry’s assurance that the time frame is 14 days. It was suggested that a
short survey addressing this be forwarded to foster parents for feedback.
ii.
Media – The media had been contacting Melanie with regard to the Pickton
trial, however they have since backed off. Melanie will be involved in a talk
show on CKOV Radio, March 13th with regard to the Fostering and
Adoption Recruitment Campaign currently being undertaken with FAFP,
AFABC and BCFFPA. Copies of the media schedule and other campaign
information was shared with the Board.
iii.
Upcoming Meetings
1.
There is a tentative meeting scheduled with Minister Christensen on
the 21st of 22
nd
of February, as well as a meeting with Mark Sieben
and Marilyn Haglund, the new ADM for the 22nd.
2.
Due to the high number of anachronism being used, it was decided to
make a cartoon book that could be sold to raise funds.
4.
Vice President’s Report
a.
Retention Meeting – January 24th
i.
This came out of the forum in May of 2006. It was slow to get started,
however several meetings have recently taken place. The group is part of the
Provincial Recruitment and Retention Committee, and is bound to make
recommendations to that committee out of discussions arising. This group
will break into 5 different smaller groups situated primarily within the 5
Ministry regions and will address issues identified by the Retention committee
as being of paramount importance at this time. At the top of the list is
Respite, which has been identified as an issue needing attention and resolution
immediately. Other issues discussed are paid holidays, added recognition for
years of service, including time off, pension matching, higher payments etc.
5.
Old Business
a.
Provincial Education Committee – A large meeting of the Provincial Steering
committee took place January 25, 26, and 2007. There were 36 people in attendance.
This committee is looking at graduating the levels of training with specialized
training being available after completion of the Core Training. The is discussion
regarding the complete revamping of the Foster Parent Education System with a Pre-
Service, Core Training of less than 53 hours, and Specialized training depending on
the needs of the caregiver. There is the possibility of utilizing Prior Learning
Assessments as well. Currently the only committee working is an Administration
Committee, which will lay out the structure, Terms of Reference, and budget
recommendations for all other committees. It is hoped that more information will be
available by the second forum May 22, 2007. There are currently 5 sub committees
for education each committee requires a rep from the Federation. Reps are as
follows:
b.
Directors Code of Conduct
i.
bring forward with changes for March 5th meeting
c.
Raconteur
i.
The process of rebranding the Federation has begun The costs for this process
are from unused allocated networking and communications funds from prior
years. The contract is open-ended and can be cancelled at any time.
ii.
The Federations association with Jim Randall has resulted in our inclusion in a
Vancouver homelessness initiative, and how foster parents can help to
alleviate homelessness in youth from care. The McCreary Centre has been
following youth out of care for several years. Their study asked youth what
could have assisted them in keeping them off the street. The main
recommendations from youth are job training, spending productive time with
adults, and having something to do after school. It was suggested that
community recreation centres be lobbied to provide more opportunities for
after school activities, are programs to mentor youth etc.
d.
Smoking Committee
i.
Rick Nelson sits on this committee. There was a meeting held January 9
th.
Michael Davies from legal services will join the committee for a legal
perspective. Anne Clayton from Adoption Services is also involved. The
committee discussed what vehicles could be involved to get the word out
regarding a smoke free environment for foster children. There may be
difficulty in Aboriginal Communities, due to a lack of homes. It was pointed
out that just because a motion is passed it does not mean the Federation has to
follow it to the end. There are serious issues around the fact that the homes
are private homes, and that people have the right to carry out their private
lives as they see fit. Discussion followed regarding legalities, how to enforce
and the fact that children deserve smoke free environments. The next meeting
is February 19th.
e.
Interior Macro Funding
04/02/07:MSC: (H. Bayes) Move that upon receipt of an up to date financial statement, the
Interior Macro Region be given $11,400 to maintain their Macro Council and assist in
covering ongoing costs and covering costs to send Macro Regional Delegates to the 2007
CFFA/BCFFPA AGM. Carried
6.
CFFA Update
a.
Sheila Davis distributed mugs and key chains to the Board. The board discussed
having vests or jackets to be worn by board members as an identifier. The costs
would come out of Federation funds initially as if moneys are left over out of the
funding allocated to the conference, they would be returned to the Federations general
funds.
05/02/07:MSC: (L. Dol) Allocate funds to provide 40th Anniversary apparel for the BCFFPA
Board of Directors. Maximum expenditure $750.00. Carried
7.
Ministry Liaison Report
i.
Release of the PGT document – This will come to the office from by the 15
th
of February for inclusion in the Newsletter.
ii.
CSSS status of Feedback – this is ongoing work
iii.
Daycare – re personal information. Recommendations have gone forward.
They are looking at using the OCG number rather than Foster Parent SIN #’s.
Until the change is made foster parents still need to use their SIN numbers
8.
Regional Reports
a.
Fraser –Kids Up Front tickets are available with notice from foster parents visiting
Vancouver. Two weeks lead-time is necessary.
06/02/07:MSC: (L. Dol) Move that Debbie Drewitz be allowed to recoup Kids Up Front mileage
expenses through an expense statement. Carried
b.
Interior – Heather Bayes and Melanie met to work on the Rights of Foster Parents
document. This document has similarities to the Rights of Children in Care from a
Foster Parent perspective. The board made suggestions for change, which will be
incorporated and sent back to the board. It was suggested that the Federation send a
letter to Mark Sieben requesting that he take the rights document forward to legal
services for a move to legislation. The Board to provide feedback by February 28th.
A foster parent had a fire in Kamloops and lost everything. She was appreciative of
the assistance she received. It was suggested that the Federation develop an
emergency response plan. The Macro Council will do a report on the response to the
family for using to develop the provincial plan The emergency plan committee will
include, Melanie, Willy, Heather, Ellaine.
CSSS Training was brought to the region, however foster parents and social workers
did not take the same training. The training for foster parents was limited to 40
people while SW training accommodated as many as wanted to attend. This was
previously addressed however recommendations were not followed.
07/02/07: MSC: (H. Bayes) Move to lobby MCFD so that if a home is in an emergency situation
an OTO can be provided by MCFD to purchase necessities for the entire family.
c.
North - The Northern Advisory Committee met on the 22nd of January. As the
Aboriginal Authority is leading child welfare there is a need for more representation
from Delegated Agencies. So far only two reps have attended.
Work with this committee seems to not be coming to fruition, although many
excellent ideas get discussed, there is no follow through. CSSS split training taking
place in the North is an example of this. Hopefully this will change going forward.
d.
Vancouver Island – Melanie to contact FPSSS to request notification of future
meetings for sharing with the BCFFPA Vancouver Island Regional Delegate
Meeting Adjourned at 4:37 PM. Next meeting March 5, 2007 9:30-11:30 am
