Donate to Support Panhandle Families

A core part of FloridaFAPA’s mission is to support foster and adoptive families in Florida, and in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael many of our families in the Panhandle are in need.   Donations to FloridaFAPA will be used to support these foster and adoptive families through direct support, assistance in locating/coordinating services and other needs as we become aware of them.  We will also use these resources to support our member foster/adoptive parent associations in this region so that they may also better support the foster and adoptive families in their service areas.   Check back to this site and our Facebook Page for updates. FloridaFAPA (formerly The Florida State Foster/Adoptive Parent Association) is a 501(c)3 volunteer organization established in 1987 to address the needs of foster and adoptive families in Florida.

Logo

Below is the new logo for FloridaFAPA To download, click here. Additional version (single color, stacked, etc) available upon request.

2017-08-30 General Membership Meeting

Florida State Foster Adoptive Parent Association General Meeting August 30, 2017 Type of Meeting: General Membership Meeting Meeting Facilitator: Chris Johnson Call to order – Chris Johnson called the meeting to order at 11:41 am Approval of Minutes from: 6/17/2017 Chris call for a motion to except minutes with adjustments. Orlando said yes he agreed, seconded by Gerald.  Motion carries Update on upcoming events October Mini Conference update Lynda is taking the lead and we should have a save the date flyer soon. Chris reminded everyon e about the State Park Passes and encouraged everyone to take advantage of them. Spring Mini Conference update Trudy reported that the spring mini was shaping up.  Trudy will have save the date soon. Rally in Tally The dates for Rally in Tally are Decemberr 4-6, 2017, Trudy is asking for a list of people of is attending? III.     Election Ballots will go out Sept. 5, 2018, paid members by the conference last June will receive ballots.  There is a list if anyone has a question if they paid or not. Introduce any DCF staff who comes in. Chris introduced the attending DCF Staff and thanked them for their support. NFPA/FSFAPA conference 2018 Trudy and Kara relayed some information on the 2018 conference; The dates are 6-28 thru 7/1. More information will follow as it is available.  Adjournment: A motion to adjourn was proposed and Seconded, a call for votes was taken and meeting closed at 12:30 pm.  Motion Carried Respectfully Submitted by Curtis Byrd

2017-02-11 BOD Minutes

Board of Directors Meeting – Crestview Saturday February 11, 2017   President Harriett Wynn opened the meeting at 4:22 pm Curtis Byrd took roll call, please see attached A motion was made by Amanda Williams to approve the minutes with any corrections from January 30, 2017.  Motion was seconded by Lynda Thompson.  The motion carried Denise Sasiain – Gave brief description of how she would like to see the chart of accounts and the general layout of the financial reports. Chris Johnson – announced that Melissa Schol moved to Ocala a few months ago, she is our Suncoast RVP & Social Media person.  She has submitted her resignation so we are now looking for someone for the Suncoast RVP position. Fawn Moore – discussed the partnership between DCF Regions and the FSFAPA RVP’s.  She encouraged all RVP’s to attend the DCF monthly licensing meetings that are held with the CBC’s.  She also suggested they attend the System of Care Meetings in their respective Regions.  She believes this will facilitate the DCF people knowing who the RVP’s and how they can partner to fulfill the FSFAPA/DCF contract of supporting recruitment and retention. He is added that the Executive Board would step up to help the RVP in making connections between the RVP’s and DCF Regional Managing Directors. Coleen La Costa – FAST has been getting a lot of calls, some are more conversation and discussing licensing concerns.  There are still a lot of relative calls.  Allegation related calls seem to be more complicated that are coming in to the FAST line.  Coleen is looking for additional input from the Investigations workgroup that is meeting regularly. Foster Parent Week – the letter FSFAPA sent to the families in the State; was authored by Chris with input from the Executive Board.  This letter should have been received by families around the State this week. FSFAPA Conference theme:  “Our Journey, Your Dreams” Kinship and Adoptive Parent Scholarship will be given again this year, how many not yet decided. Melanie is in charge of child care and she has announced this year we will not have medical child care available. Tweens $75 registration – Nex Gen Registration Super Sitters has been contracted again this year to handle child care. Amanda announced she is looking into working with Mike Williams and his Inspiring Program. We hope to meet several Leadership goals this year with Nex Gen So this is not just viewed as babysitting while parents are at the conference. Melissa Eady will be working with the tweens this year. Lynda Thompson, Lori Decker and Dorothy Alvarez are working on the Exhibitors this year. Lillie and Laurallyn are looking for unique items for the Silent Auction Harriett announced that she has already begun setting up conference calls with the different committees on a regular basis. Laurallyn is working on the CBC Membership letters, per Trudy. David Brown – addressed the membership and discussed what was going on with QPI and invited all in attendance to attend the QPI quarterly meeting in Miami. Per Thomas Croom’s requested Harriett created an ADHOC committee to review our voting procedures and to see if there is a better process. Committee members include: Chair- Thomas Croom, Orlando Avila, Kara Elliott–Jordan, and Lynda Thompson. Harry Dubia – reminded all Board members that dues were due on January 1, 2017. Please see him if you have not paid your dues. Open Discussion: It was discussed that we rotate between monthly board call and RVP calls. It was decided that starting in March the call will consist of RVP business and the April call will consist of Board business. It was also put out to the Board that we are looking for somewhere to hold the October 2017 Mini Conference.  Amanda stated that her CBC might be interested in hosting it. June conference letters for the CBC allocation of registrations will go out the second or third week in February. A motion was made to adjourn made by Orlando Avila and seconded by Coleen LaCosta. The motion carried   Respectfully submitted Curtis Byrd     Curtis Byrd, FSFAPA Secretary       Attendance Record Florida State Foster/Adoptive Parent Association Inc. [42] NAME Jan-17 Feb-17 Mar-17 Apr-17 May-17 Jun-17 Jul-17 Aug-17 Sep-17 Oct-17 Nov-17 Dec-17 # % 1 Trudy Petkovich x x 2 16.7% 2 Harriett Wynn x x 2 16.7% 3 Denise Sasiain x x 2 16.7% 4 Lillie Blackshear x x 2 16.7% 5 Lynda Thompson x x 2 16.7% 6 Curtis Byrd x x 2 16.7% 7 Coleen LaCosta x x 2 16.7% 8 Dorothy Alvarez x x 2 16.7% 9 Chris Johnson x x 2 16.7% 10 Orlando Avlva x x 2 16.7% 11 Ann Whiteside x 1 8.3% 12 Travis Davis x x 2 16.7% 13 Melanie Stimell x 1 8.3% 14 Thomas Croom x x 2 16.7% 17 Harry Dubia x 1 8.3% 21 Kara Elliott x x 2 16.7% 22 Amanda Williams x x 2 16.7% 23 Laurallyn Segur (Advisor) 1 8.3% 24 Gay Frizzell (Advisor) x 1 8.3% 25 Xiomara Turner (Advisor) x 2 16.7% 0 0.0%    

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Individual/Family Membership Form

 The Florida FAPA makes a difference in the lives of foster, adoptive and relative caregivers by providing support, training, and advocacy. Every licensed foster parent, relative, non-relative caregiver, and adoptive parent in the state of Florida are automatically entitled to the benefits provided by the Florida FAPA. Florida FAPA’s mission statement is to support, educate, and advocate on behalf of foster and adoptive families.  Membership Benefits:  Attend mini-conferences each quarter in various parts of the state. Participate in Advocacy Day in Tallahassee where we advocate for the families we serve. Attend the Annual Educational Conference where over 300 parents attend. This is agreat opportunity to meet and network with other parents. Florida FAPA Boardadvocates on your behalf statewide and locally. They are involved in workgroups andinitiatives designed to improve the care system in Florida. Networking opportunities with other foster families, adoptive families and relativecaregivers Foster Allegation Support Team (FAST) Program to help in the event of an abuseallegation. Our FAST coordinator is available to offer guidance and support during thisdifficult time. The FAST Program is designed and maintained by Florida FAPA. Why Join?  Individual/Family  So why should you pay membership dues if you receive all of this for free? A dues-paidmember is eligible to vote on issues and concerns and participate in the electionprocess. It also provides financial support for Florida FAPA as we work around the clock for youand your entire family. To be eligible for Florida FAPA Annual Conference and/or other National/StateConferences scholarship, you must be a member of Florida FAPA. Individual Dues are $10/calendar year. Family Dues are $15/calendar year. Only dues paid members may be nominated for the Executive Board. Local FAPA Associations  Florida FAPA serves as an extension of your local association and is here to support theassociation in various ways, whether it’s help with infrastructure, training or findingways to attract new members. Attend the President’s Council at the Annual Conference. Local association dues are $50/calendar year. Click here for PDF of membership form [CP_CONTACT_FORM_PAYPAL] *Required Fields

2017-01-30 BOD Minutes

Board of Directors Monthly Conference Call Monday, January 30, 2017 President Harriett Wynn opened the meeting at 8:30 pm Curtis Byrd took roll call, please see attached A motion was made by Orlando Avila to approve the minutes with any corrections from November 28, 2016.  Seconded by Denise Sasiain.  The motion carried Announced that Travis Davis was appointed as the Southern RVP.  If no objection it is approved by acclamation. Denise Sasiain – Unfortunately, Maria was unavailable to meet last Friday so we are looking for another time to meet. Chris Johnson welcomed Travis to the Board.  Melissa Schol moved to Ocala a few months ago, she is our Suncoast RVP & Social Media person.  She has submitted her resignation so we are now looking for someone for the Suncoast RVP position.  Chris has had some conversation with a friend of Melissa but we are looking for anyone else that might have a lead contact Chris. Rally in Tally – a good number of meetings.  Kara connected with her CBC, Anne was with her CBC as well.  Orlando and Chris were both there.  Chris had some good meetings with FCC and DCF.  At the breakfast there were several new legislators and the networking was good.  Giving them first hand information on foster care.  Chris met with his new Senator who is now on the Children & Families Committee and made a good connection.  They talked about the Florida Parks Bill that we are partnering with GAL to have passed. Orlando Avila– appointment with Aaron Bean but he was not in Tallahassee so Orlando met with his Legislative Aide and was able to spend quality time talking with her.  Relationships are important.  My local representative I met with is new to Tallahassee, he is an attorney and he is very receptive to meeting and learning more about our concerns, especially the Parks Bill.  We also talked about funding for other concerns foster parents have including childcare.   Met with a friend that is the Executive Director of an organization that assists with other associations as a contact for the future insight. Chris announced everyone’s RVP report is due tomorrow. Coleen volunteered to handle the Facebook page, Harriett asked to please add her on as an Administrator Curtis. Coleen La Costa – FAST has been getting a lot of calls, some are more conversation and discussing licensing concerns.  Still a lot of relative calls.  Allegation related calls seem to be more complicated that are coming in to the FAST line.  Coleen is looking for additional input from the Investigations workgroup. Thomas Croom reported that Chris and Orlando did a great job at Rally in Tally.  Thomas will have more updates on this legislative session at our meeting in Crestivew Crestview Mini Conference – Kara announced if you are bringing kids get that to Curtis ASAP.  Coleen is presenting on FAST in the morning, David Brown is presenting on QPI with Gerald Waters and Connie Werner in the afternoon,  A local restaurant is providing lunch.  Shawn Salameda from our CBC is doing the opening and the DCF Regional Managing Director will be there all day. Foster Parent Week – the letter FSFAPA is sending to the families in the State. Was written by Chris with input from the Executive Board.  This letter will go to the printer this week. FSFAPA Conference theme:  Our Journey Your Dreams Kinship and Adoptive Parent Scholarship will be given again this year., how many not yet decided. Melanie is in charge of child care and she has announced this year we will not have medical child care available. Tweens $75 registration – Nex Gen Registration is $100 Super Sitters we have contracted with again this year . Amanda announced the teens we will be working with Mike Williams with his Inspiring Program. We hope to meet several Leadership goals.  So our Nex gen Program is not just viewed as babysitting while parents are at the conference. Melissa Eady will be working with the tweens this year. Lynda Thompson, Lori Decker and Dorothy Alvarez are working on the Exhibitors this year. Lillie and Laurallyn are looking for unique items for the Silent Auction   Harriett announced she will set up a conference call with the different committees on a regular basis. The CBC letter for Membership will be out the middle of February per Laurallyn. Harriet asked Travis how are you doing so far in your new position.  He reported that  he and Trudy met with the CEO of Our Kids and he is making the rounds of the local FAPA’s.  Trudy is going to help him with the Monthly report. Gay Frizzell reported the QPI statewide meeting happened in Bartow on January 17th and there were a lot of parents in attendance.   DCF continues to work on Investigations policy and gave us an update.  On the QPI website checkout Myth Busters for answers to frequently asked questions.  Lora Diaz is continuing to add topics for webcasts.  David Brown will be at the Mini Conference in Crestview to train as well as represent m QPI at the Board of Directors meeting. Foster Parent Week hopefully we can be more organized for it next year – Trudy reported. Melanie said we do have a contract with Super Sitters.  Coleen asked if we are negotiating a lower price.  Melanie reported they will do a walk thru next week for better registration ideas.  Coleen said Super Sitters is more expensive than others in the area.  Melanie said Super Sitters last year was the cheapest company in Orlando..  So this year decided to go with Super Sitters again as they are prepared for our population etc.  We have a really good partnership, and at the end of the day we know our kids are safe. Open Discussion: June conference letters for the CBC allocation of registrations will go out the second or third week in February.  Laurallyn will get the CBC membership letters out in February also. Amanda and Melanie want to go