The BCFFPA has worked jointly with the Ministry of Children and Family Development to develop and distribute a survey to caregivers in BC. The results of the survey are now available. Hard copies of the summary can be obtained from the Federation office by calling 1-800-663-9999.

SUMMARY REPORT

The BCFFPA initiated a survey jointly with the Ministry of Children and Family Development to ascertain the services currently being received by foster parents in the province. It was hoped that the information gathered would clarify what services foster parents themselves feel they should be receiving

4455 surveys were sent to foster homes holding Foster Care Home agreements and Client Service agreements in the month of May. The % of responses was very low, ranging between 4% and 9% return. This could be due to many factors including overall poor morale of foster parents, lack of support in each region encouraging foster parents to complete and return the survey, and a poor communication system at the grass roots level. The numbers of surveys mailed, as well as the numbers returned are as follows.

Vancouver Coastal - 488 surveys mailed - 38 responses received (8% of possible)
Fraser Region - 1247 surveys mailed - 65 responses received (5% of possible)
Interior - 1077 surveys mailed - 94 responses received (9% of possible)
Northern Surveys - 564 mailed - 32 responses received (6% of possible)
Vancouver Island - 1079 surveys mailed - 45 responses received (4% of possible)

The responses are as follows:

The average number of years of fostering experience expressed by respondents is 5 years, with the average level of expertise being between Level 2 and Level 3. The most likely reason given (average 86%) for becoming a foster parent was the respondent's desire to help children.

Very few of the respondents indicated that they held a Client Service Agreement with MCFD, and had been asked to sign a Family Care Home Agreement. Of this small number, only a small percentage indicated that they were told they had no choice but to sign, and therefore signed in order to continue fostering.

The majority, in all regions, indicated that there has been no change in the number of children they are fostering in the last year. The only exception is the North Region, where 57% of caregivers indicated that there have been changes. In the Northern region foster parent respondents indicated that they felt that contract changes, government cutbacks, lack of support for caregivers, less children taken into care overall, and teens no longer being taken into care, are all reasons for changes taking place.

The average number of children in any given home is 1-2 overall with a slightly higher average number per home in the North Region (2-3)

An average of 75% of respondents have accessed some form of services offered by the BCFFPA at the local or regional level in the past. Vancouver (87%) utilized BCFFPA services more frequently than the norm, with Fraser (69%) utilizing the services less frequently. The awareness of provincial services offered by the BCFFPA was substantially lower with an average of only 59% of foster parents overall indicating that they are aware of provincial services. The services cited include, insurance administration, support, information sharing, newsletter and training. All regions acknowledged awareness of insurance administration and support. An average of 88% of respondents indicated that they would like to be able to access these BCFFPA services in the future.

An average of 69% of respondents indicated that they are aware of a new Family Care Support Network in their region. The North reported the highest knowledge (85%) and the Fraser region (54%) indicating the least knowledge. An average of 63% of respondents indicated that they have received information from the new agency with the Vancouver Island indicating the highest receipt of information, and Fraser (50%) indicating the lowest information receipt related to the new Family Care Support Network. This may have to do with the way the services are being delivered within regions, as well as the timeframes for implementing these services. Although foster parents may have indicated that they are aware of the existence of these agencies, this does not appear to be an indication that the providers have shared information around available services. In the regions where new service providers were in place as of January 1, 2003, there appears to be more knowledge of the existence of the providers and the services they offer.

An average of 34% of respondents indicated that they have required support since January 1, 2003. The types of support most indicated include protocol support, respite, and critical incident debriefing. Three quarters of foster parents who required support were readily able to access it from MCFD, BCFFPA, at all levels, After Hours, and through their support agency. The results indicated that the most consistent support was obtained through the ministry or the BCFFPA.

Foster parents would like to see the following supports provided in their regions:

54% of respondents indicated that they are using the 3 days of relief provided by the ministry. 79% of respondents indicated that relief is very important to themselves and their families. The most often utilized respite provider indicated was another foster parent or a friend; with family members utilized 1/3 of the time and spouses utilized ¼ of the time.

The only consistent reason given by respondents for being unable to use their respite is that with the cuts to contracts, the money is now being used for other things.

An average of 55% of respondents saw a need for more training to be available in order to assist caregivers to do their job. The training needs listed are:

The training suggestions were consistent province wide, although scheduling, and lack of coverage for costs related to childcare and mileage were indicated as barriers to accessing training.

Foster parents were asked about their current role and opinion around the changing context they are currently operating in.

Most respondents indicated that they keep a record of information and formal complaints made by children in care. The exception to this was found in the Interior region where foster parents keep these records only sometimes.

The majority of respondents province wide, indicate that they have made a special effort to help their child understand their rights with the exception of respondents in the Fraser region who indicated that they do not know if they do this.

A high majority of respondents indicated that they do not often have to consult with the After Hours line in order to manage their child. At the same time the majority also indicate that they do not know if the Foster Family Support line provides rapid response.

Most respondents indicated that they participate in and have a copy of their child's plan of care. Slightly over half of respondents indicated that their child's plan of care has been reviewed by the social worker in the past 6 months, with the exception of the North where 85% indicated that this is not happening. Less than half of respondents indicate that they are consulted when the needs outlined in their children's plans of care overlap.

Less than one third of respondents feel that procedures for resolving conflict between foster parents and ministry staff are effective.

Foster parent respondents also indicate that they feel no more at risk for violence than they did 5 years ago, with the majority of respondents indicating satisfaction with their care-giving role.

Approximately half of respondents in most parts of the province have experienced a change in their resource worker in the past 6 months, with the exception of the North, where only a third have experienced a change. A high majority of respondents also indicated that they do not have trouble reaching their resource worker when the need arises. The small group, who responded negatively to this question, indicated that a higher level of resource worker experience, lower case loads, and a timely response to calls would assist in alleviating some of the issues.

Resource worker qualities such as good knowledge of policy and practice, honesty, respect for foster parent knowledge and skills, and a supportive team oriented attitude, were cited as generally helpful in their relationship with foster parents.

40-50% of respondents indicated that their child has experienced a change in their social worker in the past 6 months. CICs appear to be receiving the required social worker contact every 6 months in most areas of the province. The exception to this is in the North where respondents indicate that only 40% of CICs are receiving this. Less than 1/3 of respondents have been approached to adopt a continuing custody placement. Only 20% are exploring the possibility province wide with the exception of the North, where 80% of those approached are considering the possibility.

Respondents indicated that they have experienced slight change in responsibility for supervision of family visits, meetings with social workers, and involvement with extended family. Responses indicate that the need to transport children has increased for approximately 50% of respondents in the Vancouver Coastal, Fraser and Interior regions.

The majority of respondents in the Vancouver Coastal, North and Vancouver Island regions indicate that they travel less than 5 km to access services for their foster children. In the North region, there is no indication that psychiatric and orthodontic appointments are taking place. In the Interior and Fraser regions, travel distance was difficult to determine, as the majority of respondents did not chose to respond to this question.

Wait times to access services were not indicated in any significant numbers in order to enable use of the data, as only 5% of respondents in four of the regions polled responded to this question. The exception is the Vancouver Island region, which indicates a 1-3 week waiting period to access services.

With the exception of the North region, where 80% of respondents stated that they now spend more of their service payment to fulfill their child's plan of care, it was generally indicated that approximately 40% spend more and 60% have experienced no change in spending.

The overall perception is that the need to spend more is based on a lack of government funding to cover extraordinary costs related to the child, as well as increases in basic living expenses. A lack of coverage for insurance deductibles and accidental damage to homes and vehicles, when the damage is less than the deductible was also cited.

Approximately 75% of respondents indicated that their child has been assessed with an average 80% of that group indicating that their child was assessed as requiring services.

Of those children assessed as requiring services, Vancouver Island had the lowest percentage (12%) of children not receiving assessed services, while the Interior region responded with 76% of children not receiving the assessed services. There were no reasons given for this lack of services.

When asked if new ministry policies have affected fostering roles, the provincial average was 43% affirmative, with the exception of the Vancouver Coastal region where 61% of respondents indicated that new ministry policies have affected their role. The changes indicated as affecting the role of foster parents include, MCFD staff reductions, an increased need for foster parents to cover ongoing extra costs such as travel and daycare, less resources available to children and youth in care, changes to contracts, and government budget cuts.

With the exception of the North region, half of respondents province wide, indicated that the change to ministry policies has affected how they feel about fostering. In the North region, only 28% indicated that their feeling toward fostering has changed.

Respondents indicated that the change in their attitude stems from feelings of thanklessness, and increased vulnerability, a perceived lack of respect from MCFD staff, increased feelings of isolation, and less financial stability.

When asked what motivates respondents to continue fostering, the top reason indicated is the foster parents ability to offer love, security and a sense of family to a child as well as helping children develop, mature and achieve goals.

When asked about foster parents perceptions in the area of supports to youth, the following information was gathered.

• Youth are more at risk for violence and suicide than 5 years ago, due to increased drug use, lack of supports, lack of jobs, lack of available resources, peer pressure, and an early move to independent living.
• There are not enough safe places or foster homes for youth to go. The same holds true for pregnant youth.
• There is a lack of adequate resources or services for youth in care.
• There is a lack of supports for youth in care who are parents. Some suggestions for improvement in the area are:
  • Pregnancy outreach programs
  • Mentoring
  • Adequate relief
  • Parenting courses
  • Life skills training
  • Non Judgmental Social Workers
• The majority of Foster Parents are not aware of a local Youth in Care group in their area.
• The overwhelming majority felt that the transition to independence is different for youth in care than the norm. It is felt that this is due to lack of parental support, life skills, and lack of available community resources.
• The majority of respondents are not aware of available services to assist youth in care to independence. However those respondents who are aware of services stated that their youth does not access the services due to barriers. These barriers include, lack of advertising, wait lists are too long, and distance to travel for accessing is too great.

It should be noted that many of the respondents indicated that they have little to no experience fostering youth, therefore these responses may indicate perceptions only in the areas of violence and suicide, lack of adequate supports, and lack of safe places for youth to go.

However, having said that, foster parents who care for youth have indicated that there is a certain lack of services for youth in many communities, particularly in smaller centers. It is further indicated that youth are not accessing the services available to them, whether due to barriers, or the youths own lack of interest.

The following comments were submitted by respondents and are summarized by region

VANCOUVER COASTAL
With the ministry's move to placing youth on independent living, most comments indicate that respondents feel youth need more stability, and that the ministry is making a mistake by not ensuring youth have adequate skills, and supports in place prior to independence. Foster Parent respondents feel that the ministry is being very short sighted in this regard. Many of those respondents indicated that they felt, going forward, these decisions will have a negative impact on communities and the youth themselves, which may be manifested in increased violence, dependence on income assistance, higher pregnancy rates etc. With regard to cuts to services for children in care, some respondents indicated their concern that this may lead to increased delinquency, special schooling, therapy, counseling, and vandalism restoration. Respondents in this region also indicated their hope that the BCFFPA will survive the budget cuts and remain a voice for foster parents

FRASER
Both relatives and non-relatives providing foster care appeared to feel that the monetary reimbursement is not sufficient to provide the services. An adequate income for natural families was also seen as a way to alleviate some of the stresses which result in children coming into care. There is fear in the fostering community around the perception that the ministry continues to close higher level beds, which in the long term could mean that there will be a lack of skilled foster parents able to provide the services currently offered. Many foster parents continue to appreciate the support they receive from ministry staff, while some indicated that they have a low level of satisfaction and would like to see more recognition for the valuable work they do. Frustration, and feelings of being undervalued for their skills and abilities were also voiced. In addition, concern around youth with emotional and mental delays being moved to independence was evident from the responses in this region, as well as the need for mandatory life training skills for youth in care in order to better equip them for independence.

INTERIOR
At the time of the survey, foster parents indicated that they did not have information regarding the newly contracted service provider for parts of this region outside the Okanagan. While overall satisfaction with fostering is indicated, some respondents would like to see better access to services for children and youth in the smaller communities. There are also indications that foster parent moral is down, due to feeling undervalued by MCFD, and that stress levels have increased as more expectations are placed on them. This appears particularly true for leveled homes. In addition, there is some perception that First Nations Foster Care should not be a separate entity, as this may lead to support for children being based on racial differences. Foster parents also appeared to feel that cuts to services occurring now would lead to an increased need for services later. This coupled with lack of supports for youth moving to independence appears to be a concern.

NORTH
In the Northern Region foster parent respondents expressed feelings of frustration, unhappiness and non-appreciation due to government cuts to services. They state that they are feeling the ministry move to putting youth on independent living is a bad decision which may result in lack of education and criminal activity, and will allow predators to have access to them. Respondents stated that the lack of security felt by many involved in protection of children is a pressing concern. It was stated as well that overall, foster parents feel proud of the services they provide

VANCOUVER ISLAND
Although only 4% of foster parents in the Vancouver Island Region responded to the survey, those who did have voiced extreme dissatisfaction with the process of cuts to services in all areas, changes in ministry staffing, as well as the early move to independence for some youth in care. The respondents voiced concern that budget driven decisions may lead to dysfunctional adults. Further, those who responded stated that they are feeling underutilized, under-appreciated, and under-funded.

Closing:
Overall, foster parents appear to be satisfied with their care-giving role. The survey results indicate that they feel they are providing a valuable service under somewhat trying circumstances. In addition, resource workers appear to be appreciated for the assistance and support they provide to foster parents. Most comments with regard to this issue were positive.

There is a recurring theme throughout the responses from all areas of the province. The concerns noted are the ministry move to put youth on independent living at too early an age with little practical skills, and too few supports in place to assist them to be successful. In addition, the cuts to contracts and services and perceived lack of support for caregivers appear to be taking a toll on foster parent moral, as well as on their ability to access adequate services for their CICs.

With respect to both negative and positive comments alike, it should be noted that a small percentage of foster parents overall responded to the survey. Of those who responded, most had no comments, either positive or negative with only approximately 30% of respondents voicing concerns. It is important however, to allow all respondents to voice their opinion, in order that, going forward, all foster parents will feel that they are heard, and appreciated for the very challenging work they do.