Presidents Letter February 2005 – Sheila Durnford

Happy New Year to all of you. I hope that everyone had a great Christmas, and that you are now back into the routine of things (life).

The Regional Delegates have now completed a random phone survey of foster parents in their area. Thank you to those of you who took the time to complete this phone survey. The information received from you is important for us to move forward as a membership driven, credible, proactive organization.

We have now completed the curriculum on the Grief Loss & Transition – Train the Trainer Workshop. This workshop will teach the fundamentals of grief, loss and transition for those interested in facilitating future training events. Several of the BCFFPA Board will be taking the first session scheduled for early March, as well as others from various agencies, organizations etc. It is hoped that each region will have someone trained so that workshops can be offered in each area. The Provincial Board also will assist in facilitating these workshops if requested. As we had an overwhelming response, a second session will take place, also in March. For more information, please contact the Provincial Office at 1-800-663-9999.

We are currently in the process of negotiating our 2005 – 2006 budget with MCFD. It is hoped that we will have the funds to continue with the services we now provide, as well as some new ones.

We are hoping to have an update for you soon regarding the Ministry’s response concerning the 60-day notice clause. Thank you to those who contacted the office bringing forward their individual concerns and stories.

A reminder, if you haven’t done so already, visit our new foster and adoption online resource for community and special needs services. This database can be found at: www.inyourgrasp.bc.ca. The BCFFPA, along with our partners, the Adoptive Families Association of B.C. (AFABC) and the Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents (FAFP) are very proud of this joint project which gives caregivers direct and immediate access to information regarding support services throughout BC.

I would like to take time to recognize the hard work of many of the Foster Parents and Ministry staff in the North Region. They have now formed the Northern Regional Foster Family Advisory Committee. This committee will assist the North Region in identifying regional issues, training opportunities and information to caregivers. A great deal of work has gone into the formation of this committee, and I believe this is a very positive step towards providing best practice to foster parents, youth and children in care.

Good work!

Work continues with our partners, the Federation of BC Youth In Care Networks (FBCYIC the AFABC and the FAFP with on-going projects and the development of new ones. The FAN (Foster and Adoption Network) meetings continue on a regular basis. This is a time for the 4 organizations to sit down and discuss what projects each of them are currently involved with, and what new projects they are thinking of taking on, etc. These meetings are proving to be very beneficial to all of our organizations in strengthening our partnerships with one another.

In my last report I had mentioned that I had been asked to become an Honorary Foster Parent for the Aboriginal Foster Doll Project. Unfortunately the placement event had to be postponed until February.

I received my foster doll, Angelina (Angie) on February 10^th at a presentation which), Minister Brice (Human Resources) Cindy Blackstock, (Executive Director, First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada, Chief Leanne Joe, and Kay Dahl of the Metis Provincial Council.

In closing, thank you to all of you who have sent in your membership renewals and to those who haven’t quite gotten around to it yet.

Your membership is important to your region as 2/3^rd of the fee goes back to support the locals and regional councils. And thank you to those of you who work and support your region/local through attending meetings and training events.

Here’s to a great 2005!