BCFFPA Board of Directors
Teleconference
November 24, 2009
DRAFT UNTIL APPROVED BY THE BOARD
PRESENT:
Melanie Filiatrault
Heather Bayes
Louise Dol
Les Toth
Peter Dueck
Debbie Drewitz
Marcie Perron
Sherrie Jones
Ellaine Ashby
ABSENT
Sheila Davis
1.
Minutes of October 20, 2009 accepted as written
2.
Additions/Changes – Add Education and Kids Up Front
3.
Treasurer’s Report
a.
As of October we are in good shape financially. We are bang on budget
wise with a small deficit of $4,798 which is substantially better than last
year.
b.
4 locals have responded to the internal review procedures. A letter will be
sent to the 5th local. Dawson was not included as there is no active local at
this time. All locals must be accountable if operating as BCFFPA local
associations.
4.
President’s Report
a.
FP Rights – Signed off October 29 and in use
b.
Newsletter is at the printer
c.
Letter to Jane Cowell regarding four outstanding motions will be
responded to soon
d.
Meetings book with Michele Haddon, MCFD Liaison, Sara Campbell
PGT and Kathy Berggren-Clive for December 4, 2009 in Vancouver – the
Board was asked to provide input
e.
Staff Christmas Dinner is the night of December 4th. Board members are
welcome to attend
01/11/2009: MSC:(H. Bayes/L. Dol) Move that on December 4th evening Melanie and
Heather will take staff out for dinner as the annual Christmas event
f.
Correspondence
i.
There is a lot of correspondence taking place in the past couple of
weeks, from the CCC. Melanie and Heather received Priority Post
letters which were refused as the parties sending had already been
instructed that they must go through the office.
ii.
David McKnight is looking at all correspondence
1.
The board discussed the lack of insurance for locals should
they have a court case levied against them.
5.
MCFD Liaison
a.
The board welcomed Michele Haddon as the new MCFD liaison to
MCFD.
i.
Michele will look at the job description of the new Education
facilitators and share the info with the board. The board felt that
the people providing the service would require a certain skill set in
order to be effective.
6.
Regional Reports
a.
Vancouver coastal
i.
MCFD Vancouver had a banner contest with the winning posters
displayed on the Burrard Street Bridge for the month of November.
Peter Dueck’s children are among the winners. A recognition
pizza party was held for the winners.
ii.
Represented the BCFFPA at the Representative for Children and
Youth’s Awards Luncheon. He found it very interesting to get to
know the different organizations and individuals who have shown
exemplary skills in bettering outcomes for children and youth
iii.
Some concerns arising are:
1.
Eroding confidence with VACFAS as new homes are
established and existing homes are closed. The new homes
are getting no additional assistance. Some foster parents
did not attend the VACFAS FP Appreciation event for the
first time in many years, in protest.
2.
Changes to contracts are cause for concern as well
3.
Inexperienced MCFD staff are foundering along with the
new inexperience foster homes with other ethnicities, as the
supports are not there for them. As MCFD goes through
the residential realignment, hopefully the quality of care for
foster parents will improve. MCFD and the Federation
needs to track for a period of time.
b.
Fraser
i.
Clarification was sought on what is a child specific contract and
what is a bed specific contract.
ii.
Meetings with MCFD mainstream took place with the locals. Each
local was promised $1000 for training. They went forward and set
up the training, and then the ministry cancelled the funding with no
notice. This does not lead to a good working relationship.
c.
Interior
i.
Discussion are taking place with MCFD regarding having foster
parents involved in Social Worker training as social work students
have little knowledge about what foster parent do. This builds
respect.
ii.
Length of time to complete protocols still remains a huge issue.
As well protocols seem to be targeting leveled homes. Michele
will look into. Time lag is an ongoing issue.
d.
North
i.
Sherrie attended the Regional Advisory meeting in Prince George.
It proved to be very productive.
ii.
The North continues to bring only babies into care, even though
there is evidence that there are many homeless youth. Michele will
look into this issue. She will see if there are stats related to this.
iii.
There is a new local in Prince George, and Dawson is getting up
and running again.
Next conference call December 15, 2009 6:30-7:15
