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1
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2
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- Who are We?
- Who do We Represent?
- How do We Represent Resource Families?
- What are the Issues /Obstacles we Face?
- Working Together on Issues.
- What are the Benefits?
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3
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- We wear many hats – Parents, Resource Families,Professionals, etc.
- We are a fully volunteer board.
- The membership is comprised of Foster Parent Associations in the
province.
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5
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- FPSO provides leadership and support to 42 member organizations serving
8000 resource families in Ontario in addition to serving as their
official voice
- Committed to and supportive of, a whole system approach toward teamwork
through regular communication with MCYS, OACAS, National and
International Foster Care Associations
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6
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- Resource Families cared for over 30,000 children between April 1, 2005-
March 31, 2006
- CAS foster care and group care provided 56% of the total days care
representing 39% of the total boarding rate costs
- Outside purchased foster and group care provided 24 % of days care
representing 57% of the total boarding rate costs
- ** OACAS Stats.
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7
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- Promoting increased training for Resource families and the
implementation of SAFE, PRIDE and OnLAC
- Providing a provincial forum for identification of strengths /concerns
with service delivery and the unique challenges faced by Resource
families.
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8
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- Improve the quality of life for children
- Provide safety and security and permanence
- Strengthen child’s sense of who they are
- Advocate for the child
- Make a difference
- Optimize child’s development
- Develop resiliency
- ** Eastern Zone Collaboration Report
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9
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- Provincial recognition.
- Funding.
- Inconsistent access to resources.
- Historical perceptions.
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10
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- Working Together On Issues
- What can Agencies do?
- Fully support their FPSO regional director’s participation in official
provincial activities.
- Encourage and strengthen FPAs in their Agencies.
- Inviting resource parents to sit on key Agency committees.
- Continue to promote the team approach.
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- Increase recruitment and retention of resource families.
- Well informed resource families.
- Improved attendance at training and monthly meeting sessions.
- Improved parenting skills.
- Decrease in disruptions
- Decrease in home closures.
- Improved relationship with FPA and Agency.
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12
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- "In the Eastern Zone partnership between the agency staff and the
foster parent associations has evolved over the past couple of years and
now encompasses a common vision, common purpose and common values in our
work with young people in the care of our foster families, and in our
support to the families providing the care. It has resulted in the
beginning steps, both as
individual agencies and collectively, to dialogue openly and to develop
and practice healthy conflict
resolution strategies that result in the strengthening of our capacity
to achieve better outcomes for children and youth.“ - Jacquie Woodward,
Chair, Foster Care Collaboration Committee, Eastern Zone, Director,
Child and Youth in Care Services CAS Ottawa
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13
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- “As a Foster Parent Association President I have had to be a mediator
for foster parents many times. Sometimes in very touchy situations. But
I have always been well received by my agency. Between the agency
workers, foster parents and myself we have always been able to come up
with effective positive resolutions to our problems which addresses
everyone's needs. This I believe have saved a few foster homes from
throwing in the towel due to frustration or misunderstanding.” – Tony
Morrow, FPA President Lanark CAS
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14
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- "Working with the foster parent association builds better
relationships which results in better service for children.” - Barbara
MacKinnon, Executive Director, Children's Aid Society of Ottawa
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15
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16
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17
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18
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19
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20
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Notes