BCFFPA
Annual General Meeting 2009
Motions from the Floor
Update
01/AGM/2009 :MSC: (Dianne Gambling) Move that the BCFFPA on behalf of foster
parents, adopt consistently high expectations that children and youth in care reach their
full potential of educational attainment.
This is ongoing work.
02/AGM/2009:MSC: (Marcy Perron) Move that the BCFFPA on behalf of foster parents
regularly convey these high expectations to our foster children and youth and to the
Ministry of Children and Family Development. This is being done quarterly to MCFD
03/AGM/2009:MSC: (Heather Bayes) Move that training materials be produced by MCFD for
foster parents that support us in our efforts to maximize the well-being of our foster
children and youth. All development of training materials is currently on hold due to
budgetary issues. We will continue to lobby for this.
04/AGM/2009:MSC: (Betty Davis) BCFFPA negotiate with MCFD the relief payment for
restricted, regular and Level 1 foster homes to be included in the monthly payment the
same as Level w and 3 foster homes. The BCFFPA continues to lobby for this. Further
information will be shared with caregivers as it becomes available.
05/AGM/2009:MSC: (Grant Smith) The BCFFPA request clarification from the Ministry of CF
regarding the intent and application of the Caregivers Support Services Standards to
Foster Parents and specifically with respect to CIC placement and payment schedules and
apparent inconsistencies between that document and previous MCFD Policy /Practice. The
Caregiver Support Service standards are in the final stages of completion. This document
will supersede all previous documents once it is released in its final form.
06/AGM/2009:MSC: (Frank Hetherington) The Provincial board check into MCFD policies
concerning sibling groups payments and inform all foster parents of the policy. Also in
this regard we want BCFFPA to discuss with the ministry to make no placements without a
clear, mutual understanding of payments. The Federaiton has taken this matter to MCFD.
Sibling groups are placed in bed specific resources and are paid at that rate. Sometimes MCFD
will request to pay regular rate with an additional service fee for overages. Acceptance of this is
at the discretion of the caregiver, and it is the responsibility of the caregiver to discuss finances
with MCFD prior to accepting a placement. There is no policy provincially or regionally which
would allow MCFD to pay the level rate for the first child in a sibling group, and regular rates for
the others.
07/AGM/2009:MSC: (Tammy Van Sickle) In the interest of retention MCFD provide relief
foster parents who are put into the hospital, or who have to travel to personal or natural
family medical appointments outside of their community. This is being looked at
08/AGM/2009:MSC: (Tammy Van Sickle) Camp for Kids date be extended to the end of June
as some communities can’t register for camp until June 1. This change has been made
09/AGM/2009:MSC: (Tammy Van Sickle) In the name of societal inclusion can the board
please approach MCFD with regards to help funding yearly family vacations outside of the
province, and school travel trips. This is being looked into
10/AGM/2009:MSC: (Tammy Van Sickle) AGM menu’s for lunch and dinner be thoroughly
researched before ordered and health choices more of an option such as fruit plates
veggie trays. This is taken under advisement
11/AGM/2009:MSC: (Debbie Drewitz) BCFFPA ask that foster parents be given $500 from
MCFD toward Grade 12 graduation for Foster Children. This is being addressed.
12/AGM/2009:MSC: (Sandy Dowie) Direct the board to ask MCFD to review the policies and
methods used by After Hours when receiving calls. Due to consistency issues in the way
that calls are dealt with, both by the central After Hours office and also by the local.
Mostly concerned with AWOL and the response. This is being addressed
13/AGM/2009:MSC: (Marcy Perron) The BCFFPA Board to review and clarify the Caregiver
Support Service Standard in regards to relief and respite with MCFD. Caregiver Support
Service standards continues to be worked on with input from BCFFPA. A letter
addressing this issue will be sent to MCFD.
14/AGM/2009:MSC: (Claude Cuff) According to last year’s financial statement monies
sitting in the various bursary accounts, compared what was awarded, it seems they are
not being utilized effectively. Of the roughly $2,200 available last year, only ½ was
awarded, still leaving approximately $70,000 doing nothing more than collecting interest. I
move that the board review the amounts being awarded for possible increases, review the
criteria for eligibility, and where possible, give consideration to increasing the number of
recipients. Upon doing that ensure the membership has received those decisions in a
timely manner for the 2010 deadlines. The BCFFPA Board of Directors made the decision
to award $500 per year per year which is taken from overall interest earned. Interest rates
are currently at an all time low and would not be significant enough to provide any
assistance if the awards were based solely on the interest incurred from those bursaries.
The Federation continues to be fiscally responsible in increasing the principle of the
bursaries.
