What is the AFFA?

    The Algoma Foster Family Association represents the interests of a dedicated group of people who choose to provide care for children on behalf of the Children’s Aid Society of Algoma.

YOUR ELECTED EXECUTIVE FROM OCTOBER 2009 TO SEPTEMBER 2010

President - Natalie Blake - 946-5685  

Vice President - Joanne Theriault - 942-3094

 Treasurer - Linda Lillington - 779-3665

Secretary - Brenda Laszlo - 848-4863

 Purpose:

• to represent the interests of all foster parents who are members;
• to promote effective communication and working relationships between foster
  parents and the Children’s Aid Society;
• to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas common to foster parents;
• examining standards for foster care and recommend improvements in policies
  and services relating to foster care;
• to improve public awareness and attitude to fostering, foster homes
  and foster children;
• to provide , another level of advocacy for foster parents and for the children
  in their care;
• to keep all members updated with regard to any new developments related
  to fostering.

How the Association assists Foster Families:

• by putting foster parents in touch with one another in order to share
  experiences in both parenting and foster parenting;
• by providing a collective voice on issues of importance to AFFA members;
• by providing appropriate support to foster parents where situations of
  conflict exist;
• by having an elected executive who organize regular AFFA meetings
  and meet on a regular basis with the CAS to discuss issues of concern
  to foster parents;
• by providing information of interest to foster parents gained through a
  variety of sources (government, CAS, conferences, etc.); and
• by raising public awareness of the invaluable contribution that foster
  families are able to provide for foster children.
 
What you can do:

• attend all AFFA meetings, mileage and babysitting will be reimbursed;
• volunteer for committees to which you feel you could contribute;
• advise the AFFA executive members of any issues you think
  should be discussed at meetings or any difficulties you may have;
• assist the AFFA in making its voice heard provincially by attending
  conferences as they are made available;
• attend training and information sessions that are offered;
• inform the AFFA executive or CAS of any topic you would like
  more information on or training in.

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide a voice for the foster parents and advocate for the needs of the
foster families and foster children in association with the Children’s Aid Society
of Algoma, and to provide a support system and forum for foster families to
discuss issues of common concern.
The AFFA is a member of The Foster Parent Society of Ontario