June 2009
Dear Caregivers:
I would like to take this opportunity to send Minister Tom Christensen our best
wishes as he moves back to being a regular citizen. His dedication and true
caring for children and youth in BC has made a difference in their lives. Thank
you for your support of the BCFFPA and children and youth in this province.
We look forward to a continued positive working relationship with the new
Minister, Mary Polak. Your Vice President Heather Bayes and I will be setting
up a meeting with her in the near future in order to voice concerns we have
receive from the general members throughout the province. We invite members
to provide fact-based information you would like us to bring forward. All
information must be received in the Federation office no later than June 30th.
This past year has been very busy. One focus has been development of the
document outlining the rights of foster parents such that these are in harmony
with the new rights for youth and children. Despite many struggles over the past
few years, we are very happy to report that these new rights should soon be
included in the Caregivers Support Service Standards document when the final
edits are completed. We will be taking the Foster Parents Rights document
forward as a private members bill when the legislature resumes in August.
Another good news item to report is that through the diligent efforts of the
BCFFPA and the value the Ministry places on its foster home resources, the
BCFFPA Insurance Rider coverage has been increased from $300,000 to
$500,000 per occurrence effective May 1, 2009.
Other projects the BCFFPA continues to work on are:
A BCFFPA Representative sits on the International Foster Care 2011
committee. Victoria BC is the venue for this conference which will take
place in the summer of 2011. Delegates from the committee will be
attending IFCO in Dublin Ireland in July of this year. This should prove to
be a real boost for our Retention of Foster Parents as we welcome Foster
Parents from all over the world to beautiful Victoria BC.
The Provincial Recruitment and Retention Committee continues to meet to
work at ways to better recruit new homes and to retain current resources.
Several issues including Protocols are being worked on at the Retention
Committee, and there will be a forum to showcase the work of the
Recruitment Committee held May 22nd at the AGM and Conference. The
work of this committee is funded through a grant from MCFD.
The BCFFPA has applied for a grant from the Law Foundation to develop
written materials and provide workshops outlining the legal liability Foster
Parents undertake in caring for Ministry children. In addition we will be
developing a booklet of information and providing training and workshop
materials to the agencies out of this grant should we be successful. Look
for more information as it becomes available.
As part of our contracted services with MCFD, the Federation continues to
provide insurance training to foster parents and Ministry staff throughout
the province. There are several training events planned for the next few
months. Some areas we have gone to include, the East and West
Kootenay, Central interior, and the North Island.
A new service planned to begin in the next several months is the Serenity
Program. The objective of the program will be to provide a safe and
positive environment for individuals and their families with special needs.
The program will be run by a group of professionals who specialize in a
diverse range of behaviors. The services offered will include Learn and
Play Support, Behavioral Consulting, Busy Bees Play Group (2-4), Mini
Boppers Social Club (5-12), Youth Connection Club (13-18), Summer
Day Camps, Family Support Services and Workshops, FASD, FAS, FAE
Training & Workshops and Art Therapy
(13-18) Program topics for older youth will include social skills, self esteem,
budgeting, hygiene, friendships, relationship, and Job Preparations Support.
(5-12) Support and education for pre teens, dealing with everyday challenges
both at home and in their communities. Some topics may include bullying,
budgeting, hygiene, friendships, and relationships.
Summer camps will also be provided for children and youth to help support
families with out of school care during summer holidays.
Please contact Joanne Wilson-Project Coordinator for further information.
serenity@bcfosterparents.ca or 1-800-663-9999.
Finally, I would like to say to those of you who have become a significant part of
the youth or children in your homes, a big “THANK YOU” for the positive
influence you have had on the lives of our future generations. When the paths of
other persons cross ours, we have to be there no matter what has happened.
Remember that the charity and care that you have given them will speak
volumes about the vitality of this gift that you freely gave to others.
I wish you all a tremendous spring & summer. Remember the Federation is your
voice and your organization. We are here to support all caregivers including
Foster Parents, CLBC caregivers, Youth Adjudicated Homes, Grandparents, Kith
and Kin, and Child in the Home of a Relative care providers. When we as
caregivers gather once a year we benefit from each other’s support and
collective wisdom.
Sincerely,
Melanie Filiatrault
