BC Federation of Foster Parent Associations

Annual General Meeting Summary

June 12, 2004

 

 

Introductions

 

Frank Hetherington welcomed the assembly and introduced the Board of Directors, staff, Parliamentarian, John Noonan, Auditor, Brian Tipper, Foster Parent Insurance Provider, Ralph Libby, Life and Honorary Members, Phil and Sheila Durnford, Clara Robbins from MCFD, and Child and Youth Officer, Ian Mass.

 

Recognition

 

Recognition was given to Peter Lee – Resource worker from Vancouver Coastal for his strong commitment to foster parents.  This recognition included all workers like Mr. Lee who work tirelessly to provide support to Foster Parents, the children they care for, and the BCFFPA.

 

Keynote Speaker

 

Peter Dudding, Executive Director of the Child Welfare League of Canada, delivered the Keynote address.

 

Mr. Dudding stated that he was honored to be invited to speak to the assembly, and to deliver two half-day workshops.  He shared his deep respect for the contribution foster parents make to the children, their families, and the general community. He further stated that he was very humbled to be in the assembly when he reflects on how foster parents carry out the business of looking after children, and that it never ceases to amaze him in terms of the enormous contribution foster parents make.

 

Mr. Dudding sees foster care as the foundation of the child welfare system, and wondered what the system would be like without the foster parents.  Peter came from a family who provided foster care, and feels that this has influenced his chosen career path.  Initially he began his career with the Toronto Children’s Aid society.  In contrast with the system of 25 years ago, the current system is much more successful, however the past several years have seen many negative changes.

 

The past decade has been very difficult in view of rising caseloads across Canada, coupled with significant reductions in Canada’s social safety net.  This has created difficulties for all Canadians, and Canadian society as a whole, particularly for vulnerable children and families.

 

There is currently an enormous contradiction in terms of the levels of wealth between the rich and poor.  Child poverty still hovers around 1/5 of Canadian children living in poverty, with ¼ of Canadian children possessing significant cognitive problems.  This cognitive deficiency is no just a feature of poverty but of society as a whole. 

 

The number of children and youth in care in Canada has risen from 40,000 in 1996 to 66,000 in 2002/03.  Single parent mother-led families are the single largest group living in poverty in Canada, and the number continues to increase.  In addition to that the is a growing number of children who witness family violence with an average 21.5/1000 children experiencing maltreatment between 1998 and 2003.  As well, there are closures and reductions in valuable human services such as:

 

School closures and reductions in special education

Waiting lists for hospital care

Lack of affordable housing

Insufficient childcare

Diminishing employment opportunities

Growth of Food banks

Growing disparity of rich and poor in a country that has always valued opportunity. 

 

There are 14 governments in Canada, with the Alberta government and the Canadian governments being in the position of holding a surplus.  At the same time Social Transfer Payments have gone from 8 billion to 4 billion between the fiscal years 1992/93 and 2002/03.  This has had a major effect on the social safety net.  While it is up to the provincial and territorial governments to manage their own financed, the federal government also plays a role.  Foster Parents need to ask those federal politicians running for election, what their position is around Social Transfer Payments.

 

Foster Care in BC has experienced many changes in the last few years.  The nature of the relationship between the ministry and foster parents is changing as well, with some foster parents reporting a lack of respect for their valuable contribution.  Peter has also noted a deep and abiding commitment on the part of foster parents, and a hope for renewal of the BCFFPA as an effective advocate for foster parents.

 

Peter recommended the building of strong regional associations, which will increase strategic foster parent alliances with groups working with MCFD to develop positive relationships.  These positive relationships will ultimately benefit children and youth in care.

 

He ended his address by stating that he has no illusions around the enormity of the task ahead of the Federation, however with good leadership we are up to the task of defining a renewal of foster care in BC.  He feels that the vision of the BCFFPA is sincere around improving the lives of children and youth in care, and encouraged foster parents to support the BCFFPA to achieve this task through a contribution of time and support.

 

Sheila Durnford recognized all partners and outlined the concept of the three-legged stool.  The legs of the stool represent the BCFFPA, MCFD, and the Foster Parent Support Networks.  She enforced the importance of all parties working together to support the children and youth of BC, which are represented by the seat of the stool, as without all parts working together, the stool will tip and the stool (foster care system) will fall.

 

Housekeeping

 

Frank Hetherington moved that John Noonan, Registered Parliamentarian take on the role of chairperson for the meeting.  The assembly agreed.

 

Notice of meeting as per Article 4, Section B, a and b has been met through advertisement in the March InfoLetter and via the Web Page.

 

The quorum was met with 55 voting members present.

 

President’s Report

 

Over the past two years there have been many changes within the organization.  .  The office and board were downsized, and the Federation was operating in survival mode for the first year.  Last year’s AGM did not produce a quorum, however the Federation has and will continue to rebuild having achieved a quorum for this years AGM.  Last year we were surviving.  This year we are growing.

 

The first macro regional council has formed in the Interior Region.  They are in the process of putting together a board.  It is the foster parent members within that region who are causing the region to grow.  While the agencies provide a good service, they can never replace the dedicated foster parent volunteers who work on behalf of other foster parents and children and youth in care.

 

We have come through a difficult period and we need to build on our successes.  It is time to get all the macro regions moving forward and building strong networks. 

 

The policies of the MCFD Macro Regions are set in the regions, however the framework for those policies is provincial.  Foster parents need a strong voice at all levels with all stakeholders involved.  We need to keep in mind that the agencies and ministry are not the enemy, and that all those involved in the child welfare system need to work closely together for the benefit of the children and youth in care.

 

Treasurer’s Report

 

In the absence of the Treasurer, Ross MacDonald, Brian Tipper, auditor for the Federation delivered the financial statements and welcomed questions from the assembly.  One member requested clarification around the recommendations for changes to the financial reporting that was given to the board.  Copies of the letter are available upon request.

 

A motion was made to accept the 2003/04 audit - unanimous 

 

A motion was made to appoint Brian Tipper CA, as auditor for the 2004/05 fiscal year - unanimous

 

Introduction of Nominees

 

Sheila Durnford – Running for President

 

Sheila recognized the benefit to the organization that has been achieved through the collaboration of both her and Frank Hetherington, and shared her commitment to carry on the work of the past two years.

 

She will continue to work on the Strategic Plan, increase membership, and increase participation of members and foster parents. 

 

She will also work to improve how the general community perceives foster parents.

 

The provincial body will raise more funds to support the work of the regions, and will work on relationships with community partners while striving to improve the forever families concept.  This will ultimately benefit children and youth in care.

 

Melanie Filiatrault – Running for Vice President

 

Melanie expressed her passion for the foster care system and foster parents’ dedication to children and youth.

 

She further stated that she would find it a pleasure to serve the foster parents of BC as Vice President of the Federation.

 

 

 

 

 

Willy Neal – Running for Secretary

 

Willy has been fostering for many years.  She has a vision of a safe and continuous home for every child and believes that the Federation can revive, and move forward and continue working to assist the ministry in providing this.

 

Special Resolution

 

The current bylaws of the Federation require a quorum to be 50 voting members. To establish a realistic attainable quorum for the conduct of business consistent with the restructuring of the association the following special resolution has been made.

 

A quorum for the transaction of business at any general meeting shall be twenty five (25) voting members

 

 

New Business – Motions from the floor

 

No motions came forward, however members were invited to ask questions:

 

a.       A member from Salmon Arm asked if the board was planning any provincial fundraising activities for the upcoming year.

 

There is currently a fundraising activity that consists of a Variety Show.  This fiscal the event raised $28,500 for the Federation.  The Federation continues to look at other fundraising opportunities.

 

b.      A member from Kamloops requested clarification around the financial recommendations made by the auditor to the board. 

 

Should members wish copies of these recommendations, they can request them from the office.

 

c.       A member from Kamloops requested changes to the regional ministry practice of making changes to FCH Agreements through  modification agreements without giving the foster parent 60 days notice as specified in the contract.

 

This issue has been brought to the attention of the board.  The MCFD liaison is aware of the practice.  The BCFFPA negotiated the contracts with MCFD in 2000.  There are varied interpretations to the contract now being given by MCFD staff.  However the original negotiations included the issue of changes being made provided both parties agree, with the parties being MCFD and BCFFPA.  The Board of Directors has given Sheila Durnford permission to contact the contract lawyer for the Federation for legal clarification around this current practice.

 

Clara Robbins of MCFD Service Transformation Division stated that she feels it is terrible that foster parents remain afraid to voice their concerns when issues arise.  She has invited them to contact her and CC the BCFFPA provincial office.  She will accept anonymous calls.

 

d.      A concern was raised regarding transfer of custody of CCO’s to Foster Parents as outlined in the Interior Okanagan area resource office.

 

Melanie Filiatrault has been assigned the task of looking into the ramification of foster parents taking legal custody of CCO’s.

 

e.       In some areas the ministry is moving away from leveling homes and going back to Client Service Contracts.

 

Clara Robbins responded by stating that all areas of the province are operating differently within the assigned budgets.  This leads to discrepancies between the five regions.  She was not however aware of this practice.

 

f.        A foster parent from Kamloops raised concerns around stability for youth in care who are moving from care to independence and back to care.  There is a need to develop a method for these youth to be able to return to their foster home if the foster parents are willing in the even the youth are not successful at independence.

 

As each region is operating differently, issues such as this need to be addressed at the local level.  It is hoped that once the macro regional councils are up and running, that this will assist in getting issues addressed within each region.

 

g.       A member from Enderby had a concern around ministry policy as it relates to the 24-hour clock for respite and relief.  The member was wondering if this will be normal practice going forward.

 

Clara Robbins was able to respond to this question.  In an effort to manage budgets ministry is attempting to find the best way to balance all competing demands.  She was unable to say if this will be the practice of all regions going forward.

 

h.       MCFD appears to be leveling CIC’s not the homes.  This is evidenced by the practice of reassessing the level of the home, once CIC’s are stabilized.  This stabilization may take years to accomplish thereby bonding CIC’s and foster families.  If the foster parent does not agree to lower their level, the child is sometimes moved to a lower level home, leading to attachment issues and a detriment to the child/youth.

 

i.         Locals would like to know if they could access the lawyer directly. 

 

As the provincial body covers the lawyer fees, the board would have to address issues with the lawyer if it is found that they are provincial issues. Foster parents are encouraged to forward issues to the provincial office.

 

j.        An agency staff person wanted to know if members of the board would continue visiting each of the five regions.

 

There is a plan to continue traveling to the regions to assist the foster parent local and area councils.

 

k.      A question was asked regarding number of members and ways of increasing the membership.

 

Currently there are 1,100 – 1,200 members.  A membership drive will be undertaken for both associate and foster parent members.  New foster parent members who renew between July 1 and September 30 will be entered into a draw for a portable DVD player. In addition to that, their membership will be valid until December 31, 2005 giving them an additional 6 months of membership at no cost.  New associate members will also be eligible for a draw for a regular DVD player. Any current members who wish to renew for 2005 in that time period will also be entered into the draw.

 

Closing

 

Election Results

 

President  - Sheila Durnford, Langley

Vice President – Melanie Filiatrault, Kelowna   

Secretary – Willy Neal, Hixon

 

Special Resolution – 85 votes cast –- 68 yes, 17 no – Resolution adopted

 

A motion was made to destroy the ballots.  The motion was carried

 

Closing remarks

 

Frank Hetherington thanked those present for allowing him to be president for the past two years.  He also thanked Sheila Durnford for all her assistance and input.

 

Sheila responded and thanked Frank for his dedication.  .

 

Meeting adjourned at 2:45 PM