CAFCA Foster Care Committee Minutes

June 22, 2006

In Attendance:  Brooke Davidson (Lost and Found Inc.), Bonnie McNulty (CSFPA), Susannah Carroll (CAFCA), Katie Mason (CAFCA), Melissa Maile (Catholic Charities)

Susannah asked the Committee about an issue brought up at a CAFCA General Membership Meeting—Is the state losing foster parents because children are presenting with more severe mental health issues?  Committee members have not experienced this but agencies are struggling with recruitment and forming partnerships with businesses, churches and other groups to boost recruitment efforts.  Bonnie said CSFPA is not getting calls on the mental health topic.  She reports the following hot topics: allegations, Medicaid/Medicare and proof of citizenship.

The Committee brainstormed reasons for low attendance and strategies to increase attendance.  Katie will supply Brooke with the emails for all past Committee members and current CAFCA members that operate a CPA that have not attended Committee meetings.  Brooke will email all to invite them to the July meeting at which time we will discuss meeting times and location, review Committee goals in an effort to identify a purpose that will positively support/serve CPAs and their needs.   

Melissa provided a summary of the recent Faith-Based Collaborative Summit.

Other Business:  Bonnie shared an article from the 6/22/06 Denver Post discussing the formation of a Foster Parent Union in the state of Washington

Next Meeting:  July 20, 2006 / Panini Joes / 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.