Answers to common caregiver questions.
- All
- CFS
- MCFD
- Getting Started
- Support & Mentoring
- Payments, Insurance & Expenses
- Emergencies & Urgent Help
- BCFPA
- Allegations & Investigations
- FAFP
- FASD: Understanding FASD
- Trauma: Trauma-Informed Care Principles
These four organizations have complementary roles. MCFD (and delegated ICFSAs) are responsible for placements, approvals, payments, and child protection — for questions about a specific child, you contact their social worker. CFS is your Vancouver Island regional support agency, providing peer support, mentoring, workshops, the Safe Babies Programme, and Investigation and Resolution Support. BCFPA (also written BCFFPA) works at the provincial level, administering foster parent insurance, running the Fosterline, and advocating for caregivers. FAFP — the Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents — supports caregivers of Aboriginal children, working in partnership with the others rather than replacing them.
In short: go to MCFD for decisions about a child, CFS for regional peer and training support, BCFPA for insurance and provincial advocacy, and FAFP for support specific to caring for Aboriginal children.
Sources: MCFD Foster Family Handbook; CFS Foster Caregiver Orientation Guide
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