BCFFPA Board of Directors
Teleconference Summary
July 16, 2007
1.
Acceptance of Minutes May 26, 2007 AGM – Accepted as written
2.
Treasurer’s Report
a.
Computers for Member’s foster children.
i.
This info will be in the newsletter and on the web site. Foster Parent
Members foster children who have graduated high school in 2007 will
have the opportunity to be entered into a draw for a computer. The
Treasurer is looking at getting these donated. She is also looking into
forming a partnership with Microsoft or Apple to have an educational
program for foster children.
b.
Networking and Communications - $37, 000 spent so far this fiscal for the Idea
Tour, fosterchildren.ca website and raconteur fees.
3.
President’s Report
a.
Log Books
i.
After reviewing all relevant documents pertaining to foster care it has been
ascertained that the word “original” as it pertains to records of CIC’s is not
in any of the wording found. Therefore the BCFFPA will continue to
inform foster parents that they should hold original records and give
copies to MCFD.
b.
Interior Meetings
i.
These meetings were extremely positive, although the turnout was lower
than anticipated. There is a lot of valuable information coming forward
to the public shortly
ii.
The President met with the MLA in Penticton and the East Kootenays, as
well as the Mayors of Kelowna and Vernon
c.
Upcoming Meetings
i.
Meetings with Mary Ellen Turpel Lafond and Minister Christensen will
hopefully be scheduled for August.
d.
Aboriginal Prints
i.
Letters have been written to all MLA’s, Mayors, MP, Delegated
Aboriginal Agencies, as well as several hundred from fundraising lists.
Work continues on sending the information to all Ministry Aboriginal
offices. The Vice President suggested that the letters be sent to the CEO’s
or General Managers of sports teams such as the Canucks, Lions and
Canadians. Two prints will also be framed for the office.
ii.
A Penticton foster parent also expressed an interest in purchasing and will
be contacted.
e.
Media
i.
Terrace media did a foster parenting article
4.
Old Business
a.
Idea Forums
i.
Idea Forums have now been completed in the Interior Region with the
exception of 100 Mile Williams Lake and Merrit. Forums will take place
in the North in September and October.
5.
New Business
a.
Reports from the US regarding foster care
i.
Reports are coming from some think tank in the US that states that foster
children do better in birth families regardless of how horrific the situation
is than they do in foster care. The study was hugely detrimental to Foster
Parents. Discussion took place around how the Federation can amplify the
good things in foster care.
b.
Letters to graduates from Min Christensen
i.
No letters have gone out to date. This will be addressed in the meeting
with him.
c.
Request for funding
i.
FAFP has requested funding for their Cultural Camp. The issue will be
held until The Treasurer has a chance to assess. A letter will be sent to
FAFP letting them know it is under discussion.
6.
Regional Reports
a.
Vancouver Coastal
i.
The Delegate attended a meeting with Vancouver caregivers who
expressed concern with regard to the relationship between some foster
parents and Ministry staff. Other issues raised are:
1.
Revolving door of social workers leading to a lack of continuity
and inability to follow through with decisions regarding the CIC’s
2.
Foster Parents feel unsupported
3.
There is a lack of understanding regarding Protocols, and it was
felt that a rewrite is necessary.
4.
People are still looking for strong advocacy from the Federation.
b.
Fraser
i.
There are currently no concerns coming from the region that Debbie is
aware of other than the following
1.
Resource workers are not available when they are needed
2.
The perception is that foster parents don’t count and neither do the
kids in care
3.
When foster parents are in crisis and need assistance, there is a
consistent lack of support, understanding and empathy
c.
Interior
i.
Salmon Arm is working to develop a triangulation workshop.
ii.
The Regional Delegate was able to attend the Idea Forums in the Northern
Interior and noted a marked difference between truly health partnerships
between MCFD and foster parents, and what is touted to be healthy
partnerships. This was particularly evident in the Kamloops area where
there was a marked lack of support for the Idea Forums on the part of
MCFD.
7.
MCFD Liaison
a.
Post Majority – There is now an agreement that Post Majority Services will be
reinstated. Annette is preparing a draft document to go to various stakeholders for
consultation around what Post Majority Services should look like. The services
will address the needs of young people leaving care and young people with high
special needs who are not eligible for CLBC Services. (i.e. IQ over 70). The
consultation process is set to begin in November/December.
b.
Letters for youth graduating – This is not completed. MCFD is working with
PAB to address. It is a little more complicated than first thought due to a glitch in
the records management system.
c.
Social Worker Retention – there is a real concern regarding consistent access to
funding and programs when social workers are constantly moving. The level of
frustration among foster parents is rising. This continual change in social workers
is detrimental to the CIC’s and is happening all over the province. Several issues
continue to arise. Among them is lack of respect, support during crisis, and
timelines for assessing to a higher level.
d.
Contracts – Clarification regarding length of contracts should be part of the CSSS.
This will be looked at through the Levels of Care Committee and the Contract
Committee.
e.
The system is broken, with the levels of consistency around the province poor.
f.
Contractors are not honoring the contracting process
g.
There are many issues around payment
h.
LOC are not being managed in the way they were intended.
i.
The issue of proper informed consent needs work
j.
A formal response regarding records storage will be forthcoming shortly. Until
MCFD can find a way to properly and securing store the original records, foster
parents are to hold them. A directive will be coming to front line staff shortly.
This will be included in the newsletter
k.
A letter has been written regarding and increase in the amount of coverage for the
Insurance Rider. Annette is looking into the possibility of funding to cover this
increase, and will hopefully have an answer by the date of the next meeting.
Next Meeting August 20, 2007 9:30-11:30
