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Child, Youth and Family Services
June 4, 2010

Minister Acknowledges Commitment of Foster Parents

The Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services, acknowledged the commitment foster families make to our most vulnerable children and youth at an event to mark the start of the Newfoundland and Labrador Foster Families Association's Annual General Meeting and Symposium

"Foster parents are an integral component of the child protection system in this province," said Minister Burke. "Fostering is challenging but extremely rewarding work, and I thank foster families for choosing to take the challenge and enrich the lives of those most in need."

Foster parents and social workers from across the province will gather this weekend to share experiences, participate in workshops and build networks. The theme of this year's symposium is Taking Care of Me — Taking Care of You, highlighting the importance of stress management and of developing coping strategies to deal with often difficult and complex situations.

"Sometimes foster parents are so focused on meeting the needs of the children that they overlook the importance of taking care of themselves," said Diane Molloy, Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Foster Families. "The goal of this weekend is to ensure participants leave with a better understanding of the relationship between caring for themselves and caring for others."

Fostering means providing temporary care for children and youth who cannot live safely with their own families. Currently, there are more than 500 foster families across the province

"But many more foster homes are needed," said Minister Burke. "The majority of children currently placed in Alternate Living Arrangements could be placed in a foster home if more homes were available. We believe that a foster home is the best option for at-risk children."

Last year, the Provincial Government announced a substantial increase in foster care rates. Budget 2009 included $1.3 million to provide rate increases for foster families, as well as infant allowances, initial placement allowances and Christmas allowances. An additional investment of $2.4 million was implemented this year

In recognition of the higher cost associated with living in Labrador, an additional 15 per cent was added to the basic rate and the infant allowance and 30 per cent was added for foster families living in Labrador's most remote communities.

"The new Department of Child, Youth and Services will build on this investment in order to further advance the foster care system," said Minister Burke. "A major focus for the new department is to strengthen the foster care program through better recruitment and retention strategies and to eventually eliminate Alternate Living Arrangements by creating a broader continuum of residential care aimed at keeping children safe and helping them thrive."

All events are being held this weekend at the Ramada Hotel in St. John's. Interested members of the public are welcome to attend the Annual General Meeting on Sunday, June 6, at 9:00 a.m.

For further information about becoming a foster parent, contact a local Child, Youth and Family Services office or the Newfoundland and Labrador Foster Families Association.

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Photo #1: The Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services meets with the Board of Directors of the Newfoundland and Labrador Foster Families Association. Front Row: (Left to Right) Minister Burke, Rosie Lucy, Julia Morgan. Back Row: Mabel Anderson, Louise Lavalle, Dave Melvin, Tracy Swan, Diane Molloy (Executive Director), Stephen Hilliard (Treasurer), Melvina Elliott, Patricia McGrath (Chair), Linda Buckle, Fronie Blake. Missing from photo: Paula Clements, Ruby Ellsworth.

Media contacts:
Susanne Hiller
Director of Communications
Child, Youth and Family Services
709-729-5148, 697-3760
susannehiller@gov.nl.ca

Diane Molloy
Executive Director
Newfoundland and Labrador Foster Families Association
709-754-0213
dianemolloy@nfld.net

2010 05 04                  3:10 p.m.


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