AGM Motions 2006
01/AGM/06:MSC: (Jan Chapman) The BCFFPA Board of Directors develop a Foster Parents
Bill of Rights and legislate those rights. Carried
This has been done
02/AGM/06: MSC: The BCFFPA Board of Directors consider the (13) thirteen resolutions
submitted by the Greater Kamloops Local of the BCFFPA as circulated. Carried
i.
We the BCFFPA resolve to negotiate for two weeks of vacation pay per year in addition to
the 3 days per month of relief currently received.
As foster parents are private contractors and not employees, this would be outside
of MCFD responsibility. It was decided not to go forward with this motion
ii.
We the BCFFPA resolve to negotiate for cost of living adjustment yearly for the
maintenance portion of pay for children in care.
As MCFD has recently increased the maintenance payment over the next 25
months, this is put off for the time being
iii.
We the BCFFPA resolve to negotiate for service payment increase yearly to be tied to
years of service and cost of living.
As MCFD has recently increased the service payment over the next 25 months, this
is put off for the time being
iv.
We the BCFFPA resolve to negotiate for Foster Parents to be exempt from Provincial
Sales Tax for all purchases.
A letter was sent to the Hon Carol Taylor who denied our request
v.
We the BCFFPA resolve to recruit and hire a Professional negotiator to work full time for
the BCFFPA. This will enable time for the negotiator to become familiar and expert with
Ministry and BCFFPA policies and financial systems and head a negotiation team for the
BCFFPA for the next five years.
Due to financial considerations, this is not possible.
vi.
We the BCFFPA resolve to establish that the Ministry of Children and Families recognize
and conduct themselves with the belief that children need competent, kind, empowering,
long term parenting in all cases; that MCFD and BCFFPA work together to establish and
maintain foster parenting for children.
The BCFFPA consistently supports and advocates fostering and adoption home
vii.
We the BCFFPA resolve that children should only be placed in Group Home type settings,
short term (under 3 months) and as a last resort only.
The BCFFPA will write a letter to MCFD with this request
viii.
We the BCFFPA resolve that MCFD change the current bed specific contracts to be in
effect for the duration of the contract without modification or adjustment unless the
intention is never to fill the bed again or both parties agree to dissolve or decrease the
number of beds within the contract.
Bed specific contracts are used to ensure that the beds remain open for use of
MCFD whether there is a child placed or not. MCFD would not keep the bed open
for an indeterminate amount of time due to fiscal restraint.
ix.
We the BCFFPA resolve that MCFD use child specific contracts for periods of 3 years or
less and bed specific contracts for periods of more than three years.
This request has been made to MCFD with no resolution
x.
We the BCFFPA resolve to negotiate with MCFD for a pension plan for foster parents with
a vestment of 5 years.
There are ongoing discussions regarding this motion.
xi.
We the BCFFPA resolve to negotiate with MCFD for a more inclusive medical and dental
plan for foster families.
This issue is being worked on with MCFD.
xii.
We the BCFFPA resolve to develop a response system using a positive approach to
establish a “response action” for those instances when contractual obligations are not
being met. Example: what can we expect to have happen when Protocol investigations
are running longer than the stated 30 days?
This is discussed with MCFD HQ on a case by case basis if unable to resolve it at
the regional level.
xiii.
We the BCFFPA resolve to develop formalized advocacy for foster parents who want
advocacy during a Protocol.
There are no funds currently available to develop this.
03/AGM/06: MSC: (Heather Bayes) Provincial Board of the BCFFPA grant funds as based on
budgetary considerations. Carried
Discussion: In view of the limited funding the provincial organization has it was questioned how
the provincial will fund this.
It was clarified that it will be based on budget considerations so is simply a request
04/AGM/06: MSC: (Helen Hofer) Move that BCFFPA lobby the ministry so that when children
in care are placed on the adoption list, foster parents are allowed to actively seek adoptive
parents in conjunction with the ministry for their children in care and that confidentiality
issues are reexamined in regards to letting people know that the children are up for
adoption. This will speed the process and move children towards permanency. Carried
Discussion: It is clarified that the process for getting children adopted is too long partially due to
workers not always being available to pursue the issue. Children continue to languish in care for
far too long. The process should move forward even when workers are away sick or on vacation
for long periods of time.
Due to privacy issues MCFD has rejected this motion.
05/AGM/06:MSC: (Lorraine Daley) BCFFPA take the necessary steps to ensure that no
smoking be allowed in foster homes or in vehicles that transport foster children. Carried
There are currently standards which address this issue. This was worked on jointly by
BCFFPA, FAFP, and MCFD
06/AGM/06: MSD: (Kula Zervos) The Board of Directors revisit the election procedures to
have the mail in ballots returned to a 3rd part to be counted (i.e. Accountant). Defeated
Discussion: This would require a revision to the Bylaws
07/AGM/06: MSC: (Wendy Sutherland) BCFFPA approach MCFD to institute a confidential
annual review for foster parents to evaluate MCFD staff on a yearly basis. Carried
Discussion: Although it was clarified that most social workers are meeting the needs of their
clients, it was suggested that an annual review may be the first step into resolving the issue. This
needs to be developed provincially. One individual felt that any member of the public was able to
take an issue forward regarding a social worker, however the members felt that they are not the
general public and deserve the same input into evaluations that all social workers are allowed in
evaluation of foster parents.
This has been developed
08/AGM/06: MSC: (Marcy Perron) BCFFPA explore ways and means so that all newborns will
have a plan to return to parents or adoption by the age of one year. Carried
This is currently the intent of MCFD, however there may be reasons why this is not possible
in some instances.
09/AGM/06: MSC: (Sheila Davis) Whereas Social Workers in BC are asked to prepare an
evaluation on the quality of service in foster homes, we ask that the BCFFPA assure that the
foster parents receive a copy of this placement feedback and are allowed to respond to it.
Carried
This issue has been addressed, however no solution has been reached
10/AGM/06: MSC: (Patricia Youson) Move that the Financial Statements be part of the AGM
package and handed out to members the day before the AGM. Carried
These are given out on the Friday for those that attend that day.
11/AGM/06: MSD: (Bonnie Thompson) I move that BCFFPA explore ways and means to have
mixed level contracts be allowed for all foster parents in BC to allow for consistency and
fairness to all. Defeated
Discussion: The reason for this motion is that the levels system has strayed from the original
intent.
12/AGM/06: MSC: (Jan Chapman) The BCFFPA Board of Directors begin discussions with
MCFD regarding full participation in the redevelopment of the Foster Parent Education
Program. Carried
Discussion: Annette Harding supported the motion and reiterated that the Federation can expect
to be a full participant in the redevelopment program, as per the working group model set out at the
Caregiver Support Framework partnership table.
This has been implemented however it is currently on hold.
13/AGM/06: MSC: (Sheila Davis) BCFFPA prepare an information form for foster parents to
give feedback to the child’s social worker on the quality of service received. Carried
This is available on the BCFFPA web site
14/AGM/06: MSC: (Jan Chapman) The BCFFPA Board of Directors begin discussion with MCFD with
regard to the reinstatement of the Support Worker and Advocacy Program and reinstatement of the
full funding required to deliver the services provincially.
This is being discussed, however there is currently no funding to accomplish this
