2013 CFFA National Conference Update

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The Foster Parents Society of Ontario (FPSO) hosted this years National Conference June 10 – 16th (“United In Caring”) in Richmond Hill, Ontario. It was an honor to be part of their 40th Anniversary celebrations!

Linda Krauskopf, Alberta Foster Parent Association, accepting CFFA flag from Sheila Durnford, as next years Hosting Province for CFFA 2014 Conference.

The Canadian Foster Family Association (CFFA) held business meetings during the first part of the week. These included the CFFA Executive meeting, Board of Directors meeting and Provincial/Territorial (P/T) President’s meeting. The Executive Directors from each of the Provincial and Territorial Foster Parent Organizations held a one day meeting and then joined the conference.

The National Working Group was well attended with participants hearing updates from the Provincial & Territorial Directors. During the afternoon, Mr. James McGuirk from the Ontario Child Advocate’s Office spoke to us regarding the Youth Leaving Care Hearings, and Mr. Peter Dudding spoke on the Future of Foster Care.

Landy Anderson, Author, and Sheila Durnford, CFFA President

During our AGM, elections were held. Sylvia Thompson was re-elected as 2nd Vice President; Sharon Joyal – 3rd Vice President and Connie Mulholland – Secretary.

The remaining days of the conference gave the opportunity to attend workshops. There was time to socialize and to meet many of the Ontario Foster Parents, and re-connect with others from Ontario and across Canada.

Presentation of Plaque to thank the FPSO for hosting the 2013 conference. (pictured: Cecile Brookes, Barbara Ptashynski, Sheila Durnford)

Landy Anderson, launched her new book: The Foster Parent Survival Guide – How to Navigate the Child Welfare Matrix. Both FPSO and CFFA are thrilled with having such an informative book available here in Canada for foster parents and others to learn from.

Our next CFFA Newsletter “The Bulletin” will be available towards the end of July. It is distributed to our members, and is also posted on our website. This issue will contain Annual Reports from the CFFA Executive and P/T Directors.

A plaque was presented to FPSO during the closing banquet to thank them for hosting the CFFA’s 2013 National Conference. A great deal of work is done to prepare for these conferences, and it is very much appreciated by all of us at the CFFA.

Next year the Alberta Foster Parent Association will be hosting the 2014 CFFA National Conference in Edmonton, Alberta.

Sheila Durnford
President, CFFA