About Us
Another branch of the family tree.
Our Mission
Our mission is to represent and support all foster caregivers who provide quality in-home family care in British Columbia.
Our Vision
Our vision is to support children and youth to reach their full potential through exceptional care.
Our Belief
Supported and resilient caregivers raise empowered children and youth.
Who We Are
The BC Foster Parents Association (BCFPA) is a provincial organization for foster parents, run by foster parents. We are a registered non-profit charity that aims to bring together foster caregivers, social workers and other stakeholders working to continuously improve the standard of care for children in our province. For over 50 years, we have consulted about the revision and development of policy and practice within British Columbia’s child welfare sector.
We provide information to the general public about fostering and recruitment services to the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and Delegated Aboriginal Agencies (DAAs). We offer our community a support network through Branch affiliations and our Solutions Program, accessible fostering information and education, a hub to share news across our sector and insurance resources for foster caregivers.
BCFPA’s structure facilitates contact with all foster parents in the province. We provide funding to our Branches and Regional and we maintain a Board of Directors that represents our diverse BC culture. BCFPA’s Board of Directors regionally and at a community level are all volunteers, elected parent membership community.
An Annual General Meeting is held each year to provide members with the opportunity to vote and actively participate in the planning of BCFPA’s future direction. Our AGMs are also wonderful opportunities to network, to learn and to participate in ‘world café’ style brainstorm, insight, and program design sessions.
Becoming a Foster Parent
Right now there are more than 5000 kids across BC who need temporary foster families when they can’t live at home. Many of these children and teens come from hard places; however, fostering can have a huge positive impact on their lives.
Helpful Resources
At BCFPA we have a wealth of resources for foster parents, youth in care, and staff members looking for information.
News
Our 2021 Annual Report is out now!
We are pleased to announce that we have released our 2021 annual report. You can download the...
AGM 2021 Call for Nominations Package
BCFPA will be holding the annual election for executive officer positions on our Board of...
AGM 2021 Registration Package
Our 2021 Annual General Meeting will be held in Kamloops on September 25, 2021. Are you planning...
Membership
As a member of BCFPA, you have access to the only agency in the province that is mandated to represent BC’s foster caregivers.
Funding and Donations
Our core services are funded in large part by the Ministry of Children and Family Development. The remaining funding is sourced through donations from partner agencies, foundations and service clubs, businesses and community groups, as well as through our membership program.
Funding is used to support programs and services including community building, education and training projects, bursaries and grants, and more. We also provide funding to BCFPA provincial Branches and Regional Councils.
Host a Fundraiser
If you would like to host a Third Party Fundraiser on our behalf – thank you! – please download the forms below and return them to us before organizing your event:
You can also donate to BCFPA directly via:
Thank you!
Thank you to all our donors for their generous support of our programs and services! Your help makes our work possible.
Where Your Donations Go
Annual post-secondary bursaries, scholarships and grants
These private bursary funds are donated to the BCFPA largely as bequests and legacy gifts by major donors. Our bursaries are available to foster parents’ children to assist with the costs of pursuing post-secondary education.
Camps for Kids Bursaries
These funds are raised at our Annual General Meeting (AGM). Funding helps us send children who live in the home of a foster family to a summer camp of their choice, where they can participate in sports and explore art, science, music, theatre, photography, technology and more! This is a great way for kids to build self-esteem and discover their talent and potential. Camps for Kids bursaries have enabled many children with increased and complex needs to enjoy summer activities with others who share their challenges.
Education and Training Workshops for Foster Parents
Workshops are funded by donations from community groups or foundations, as well as contributions from the MCFD. Training workshops are generally offered at BCFPA’s Annual General Meeting and Conference. We are currently seeking to increase funding to offer additional training through our Solutions Program.
Recognition awards for foster community members
This is a new funding category to recognize the excellent work of foster parents and their contributions to the community.
Solutions Program (support and advocacy for foster parents)
Additional program funding is necessary to reimburse volunteers who may need to travel in order to provide direct support to their peer foster parents in other communities. These funds may also be used for community outreach purposes for the Solutions Program to strengthen partnership with the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
General program service
This funding is for general operating efforts and new initiatives to sustain and expand the scope of the organization’s programs, which serve and provide valuable support to foster families.
Phone
Main:
604-544-1110
Toll-Free Foster Parent Line:
1-800-663-9999
Foster Parent Support Line (MCFD):
1-888-495-4440
Accessible weekdays from 4:00pm to 12:45am
Statutory Holidays & Weekends: 8:00am to 12:45am
EMERGENCY AFTER HOURS
Foster parents are encouraged to call this number in the event of an EMERGENCY or CRISIS occurring after regular office hours:
1-800-663-9122
REPORT CHILD ABUSE
If you think a child or youth under 19 years of age is being abused or neglected, you have the legal duty to report your concern to a child welfare worker. Phone 1 800 663-9122 at any time of the day or night. Visit the Government of BC website for more info.
address
BCFPA Provincial Office
Suite 208 - 20641 Logan Avenue
Langley, BC V3A 7R3
contact us
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Our work takes place on the traditional and unceded Coast Salish territories of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Matsqui and Semiahmoo First Nations. BCFPA is committed to reconciliation with all Indigenous communities, and creating a space where we listen, learn and grow together.
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