BCFFPA Board of Directors
Teleconference Summary
December 10, 2007
1.
Minutes of November 5, 2007 accepted as amended
2.
Treasurer’s Report
a.
Financial Information - The Treasurer will send a short report and fincials
to the board
b.
Two BCFFPA Delegates will attend the Canadian Foster Family
Symposium in Winnipeg in May
3.
President’s Report
a.
Youth Christmas Party – The third annual Youth Christmas Dinner15th.
b.
Request from CFFA – Board members will make a recommendation on
whether to share with the CFFA and allow their logo to replace BCFFPA.
c.
Jim Randall letter B/F in January
d.
Idea Forums - Executive Director to deliver information around the
Insurance Program to Sechelt and Powell River on the 20th
and 21st
of
February. A short Idea Forum will be provided as well on those dates.
e.
Funerals of Foster Parents – A rep from the Board attended the funeral of
a long time foster parent at the request of the President.
f.
AGM 2009 –3 site visits for the 2009 AGM have been completed. It was
suggested that the meeting may be held out of the Lower Mainland that
year.
g.
Annette Harding has left MCFD and moved to Youth Mental Health and
Addictions. The Board will miss her. Wayne Matheson will now be the
Liaison once again. The Board welcomed Wayne.
4.
Regional Delegates
a.
Vancouver Coastal – Cary deBest
i.
The Vancouver Coastal region has no concerns. Cary was unable
to attend the last local meeting.
b.
Fraser – Debbie Drewitz
i.
There is currently a shortage of homes in the Burnaby New West
area.
ii.
Jan Chapman met with Leslie Renshaw to discuss Mental Health
and put forward the idea of looking at the Federation as the
initiator of this issue. Jan will keep the board informed
c.
Interior
i.
The Macro met face to face in Vernon recently. Kari Bepple is the
new rep for Kamloops. There is a good relationship with MCFD
in the Cariboo area, but a lack of motivation for caregivers to
attend.
ii.
East Kootenays continues to move forward
iii.
West Kootenays is using a file review as they would a quality of
care review now that QCR are no longer useable. This will be
addressed with the area office.
iv.
Kelowna – It appears that MCFD is no longer taking kids over 12
into care in the area
v.
Salmon Arm – Level 2 and 3 beds in Salmon Arm are sitting
empty
vi.
Huge change over in staffing in Salmon Arm they are keeping their
numbers down and not taking kids into care
vii.
There is a lack of interest for Partnership meetings on MCFD’s
part. There will be another call on the 11th
d.
North
i.
The North is relatively quiet at the moment
ii.
There was a Christmas Party held in Dawson which had a large
turn out.
iii.
Payments or late arrival continue to be an issue in this area
e.
Vancouver Island
i.
There was a Partnership meeting held in November. It was the
first in over 18 months.
ii.
There were a number of issues brought forward. One is the lack of
communication
iii.
Foster Parents are no longer allowed to trade beds or have sleep
overs in the mid island area
iv.
Partnership meetings will now take place every 4 months.
5.
MCFD Liaison
a.
Payment dates – Foster parents would like to see payments receive on a
specific date not a broad timeframe.
i.
This was brought up at the Retention meeting. Right now
payments arrive between the 10th or the 15th
depending on how
weekends fall. It can be changed, however it was discussed if it
was better to receive it as early as the 10
th
or on the 15th.
ii.
Fees for service are paid by the 5th of the month the child is placed.
Maintenance is paid in arrears in the month after the expense is
incurred.
iii.
The board needs to decide if they would like to leave as is or make
it a definite date each month.
iv.
There is sometimes a long delay in getting any payment for
maintenance if a child is not placed before the cut off.
v.
It was discussed if CSSS needs to address the issue.
vi.
The Board will canvass the regions over the next month to see if
this is a provincial or a regional issue.
