Government of British Columbia

VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Oct. 1, 2008) -

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

2008CFD0044-001495

Oct. 1, 2008

Ministry of Children and Family Development

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS FOSTERING AND ADOPTION

A nation-wide public service announcement to raise awareness about fostering and adoption will be airing in theatres across Canada, announced Children and Family Development Minister Tom Christensen today as he kicked off Foster Family Month.

The public service announcement, developed by the Canadian Foster Families Association (CFFA) with funding from the B.C. government, will play in Empire Theatres across the country during October.

"Foster families play an invaluable role in the lives of thousands of children and youth in need in British Columbia," said Christensen. "Each October, we recognize the thousands of foster families across the province and the remarkable contribution they make in our communities - but we as a government, and all British Columbians, are truly grateful for the work they do throughout the year."

Christensen will join foster families at an appreciation night event tonight in Victoria to launch the public service announcement and to increase awareness about the ongoing need for caring and committed people to become foster and adoptive parents. Empire Theatres, which is donating the screen time at all its theatres, will host the launch at its downtown Victoria location.

"The Canadian Foster Parent Association is delighted to have had the opportunity to develop this public service announcement, and we are immensely grateful to the Province of British Columbia and Empire Theatres for their support," said CFFA president Sheila Durnford. "The message will be shown in theatres across Canada, and we hope it will encourage more people to consider fostering or adopting a child."

Over 3,200 foster families across British Columbia share their family life with more than 6,000 children and youth in need. Foster care provides children with a family setting and a safe, loving, and stable environment when their own parents are not able to look after them. Around 35 per cent of children in care who are adopted are adopted by their foster family.

The Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents and the B.C. Federation of Foster Parent Associations (BCFFPA) offer support and encouragement to - and a voice for - B.C.'s foster parents. In partnership with the Province, both organizations focus on public awareness and recruitment and retention of foster parents to help build the best system of care for B.C.'s children and youth.

"Our foster parents are amazing and resilient people who look after children and youth, many with special needs," said Melanie Filiatrault, president of the BC Federation of Foster Parent Associations. "They have always stepped up to the plate and we wish them nothing but success so that all children in our province have the opportunity to become productive citizens."

One such foster family is Nicola and Kurk MacKay, who have fostered 16 children since they began fostering four years ago. The MacKays have three biological children and are currently fostering four children between the ages of eight months and eight years.

"Foster parenting is very rewarding for us and has taught our family life lessons and skills as well as teaching us all to be more compassionate and caring," said Nicola. "Foster parents are really a community of people working together to make a difference, providing children with the key ingredients in life - shelter, food, love, and stability."

"Anyone with the compassion to care about children who is looking for a way to give to their community should consider fostering," Nicola added.

To view the Public Service Announcement and for more information, please visit www.strongsafesupported.com/awareness.

For more information on how to become a foster parent, visit the Ministry of Children and Family Development's website at www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/foster or call the Foster Line toll-free at 1 800 663-9999.

1 factsheet attached.

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province's news feeds using RSS, visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca.

FACTSHEET

2008CFD0044-001495

Oct. 1, 2008

Ministry of Children and Family Development

FOSTER CARE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

The government of British Columbia has proclaimed October Foster Family Month to recognize foster parents and show appreciation for the contributions they have made to children and families in our communities.

KEY FACTS

- Foster family homes are the primary placement resource for children in care. The Province has approximately 9,000 children in its care, and of those, about 6,000 children and youth are placed with approximately 3,200 foster families.

- Twenty-four delegated Aboriginal agencies, the Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents, and the ministry are working with Aboriginal communities and groups to increase the number of Aboriginal foster homes, and to build the capacity of Aboriginal communities to provide support for vulnerable children.

- Foster families may provide care on an emergency, short or long term basis. They provide children with a safe, nurturing, and supportive home when they need it the most.

- Approximately 35 per cent of children in care who are adopted are adopted by their foster family.

- The British Columbia Federation of Foster Parent Associations, the Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents and regional foster parent support agencies provide a range of support, education and advocacy services for foster parents.

- There is always a need for more individuals and families to become foster parents. There is an ongoing effort to recruit foster parents of all cultural, social and ethnic backgrounds, so that children in care can maintain their cultural and community connections.

- The main qualifications a foster parent needs are a desire to provide a supportive and caring environment and make a positive difference in a child's life. Foster parents must be in good physical and mental health, pass a criminal record check, and supply three character references.

- During the application process, a ministry or delegated Aboriginal agency social worker conducts a family assessment (home study) at the applicant's home. Applicants also take 18 hours of orientation (pre-service training). On average, the approval process takes three months. Once approved, foster parents participate in the 53-hour BC Foster Parent Education Program.

- Foster parents receive a payment of $780 to $888 a month, depending on the age of the child. There are three types of foster homes:

-- Restricted foster homes are usually the homes of relatives or family friends who have a significant relationship with the child.

-- Regular foster homes provide care for up to six children of varying ages and needs. Usually, the foster family has not previously known these children.

-- Specialized foster homes provide supervision and three different levels of care for children with physical, mental, behavioural or emotional needs. These foster parents receive an additional monthly service payment between $397 and $2,509 per child, depending on the level of care they provide, and the needs of the child.

- Every foster child has a care plan that outlines the type of care required to meet his or her circumstances, and a plan to either return the child to the parents or to another permanent home. For many children in continuing care, foster families provide a permanent home right through to adult life, while also supporting the child's ongoing connection to their families and communities.

- For more information on foster care, visit the Ministry of Children and Family Development website at www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/foster or call the Fosterline toll-free at 1 800 663-9999.

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province's news feeds using RSS, visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca.