Committee Chairs
ByLaws: Chair Michael Mader (parliamentarian@tffa.org)
The purpose of the Bylaws Committee is to provide oversight of the bylaws, to include adherence of the bylaws by the Board of Directors and any staff, periodic review of bylaws for relevance, need for revision and carry out the duties listed in the Duties and Responsibilities section. The Bylaws Committee also provides oversight of the Articles of Incorporation. The Chair of the Bylaws Committee is the duly elected Parliamentarian of the Association.
Committee Objectives
Duties and responsibilities of the Bylaws Committee include:
- Develop and monitor the process by which the Texas Foster Family Association Bylaws are systematically reviewed and update.
- Develop and monitor the process by which members of the Texas Foster Family Association are able to participate in the clarification of the Bylaws.
- Develop and monitor the process by which this committee may serve as a resource to assist local associations in their organizational development and maintenance.
- Function as a resource to investigate and recommend an appropriate parliamentary procedure to meet any special Texas Foster Foster Association needs.
- Provide the Treasurer with annual budget information, if warranted.
- Provide the Texas Foster Family Association e-newsletter (FOCUS) editor with information for proposed Bylaw amendments to facilitate publication in the FOCUS, and for posting on the TFFA website; proposed Bylaw changes must be posted a minimum of 30 days prior to the vote of the TFFA membership (posted on the website and in FOCUS).
- Ensure election of a committee vice-chair and a secretary at the first meeting of the committee annually.
Meetings
The Bylaws Committee meets a minimum of two times a year in person in conjunction with TFFA Board of Directors in person Board of Directors meetings. The committee will meet additionally as needed by telephone, internet, or in person. The committee chair will give reasonable notice to all committee members of the date, time, place, and purpose for all committee meetings. Motions may be made and voted on electronically when necessary.
Conference: Chair (filling in) Kellie Pittman (president@tffa.org)
The Texas Foster Family Association host an annual education conference, regional training and support group opportunities. As a member of the TFFA, you get free admittance to our events! If you are not able to make it to one of our conferences, the TFFA offer at-home viewing of the events through our partnership with Orphan Care Solutions.
If you would like to help plan conferences for resource parents, volunteers, and professionals, please contact the chair of the Conference Committee at conference@tffa.org.
Want access to the training? Join the TFFA today!
Public Policy and Advocacy: Chair Elizabeth Curnow (publicpolicy@tffa.org)
Nearly 30 years ago, the state of Texas began outsourcing foster care to the private sector, and many of those families were not included in local foster parent associations, creating more need for the TFFA to provide support resources. Due to other changes in the system, there was also an increased need for advocacy efforts. For over four decades, the TFFA has focused on supports and services needed by the children in foster care and the resource families who so diligently serve them.
If you would like to become involved in advocacy efforts in partnership with the Texas Foster Family Association, please contact the chair of the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee at publicpolicy@tffa.org.
Regional Representatives: Chair Zachery Haston (2vp@tffa.org)
The Texas Foster Family Association has established local foster parent representatives in each DFPS region.
Our Regional Foster Parent Representatives represent the TFFA within the geographical areas of their region and assist the development and growth of local foster parent associations. We keep informed on any matters concerning foster care programs and pass this information on to all resource families within the region. Regional Representatives work closely with all (public and private) agency representatives to cause better agency-foster parent relationships.
We take great pride in representing all resource families within the region and meet with the various agencies to inform them about the business/activities of the TFFA and to encourage membership.
If you would like to become a Regional Representative in your region, please email the Chair.
Find Your Regional Facebook Group:
- Region 1: http://bit.ly/TFCAr1
- Region 2: http://bit.ly/TFCAr2
- Region 3: http://bit.ly/TFCAr3
- Region 4: http://bit.ly/TFCAr4
- Region 5: http://bit.ly/TFCAr5
- Region 6: http://bit.ly/TFCAr6
- Region 7: http://bit.ly/TFCAr7
- Region 8: http://bit.ly/TFCAr8
- Region 9: http://bit.ly/TFCAr9
- Region 10: http://bit.ly/TFCAr10
- Region 11: http://bit.ly/TFCAr11
Scholarship: Chair Sharon Medford (scholarship@tffa.org)
The purpose of the scholarship committee is to advise the Board of Directors of the Texas Foster Family Association on the awarding of scholarships.
Committee Objective
Duties and responsibilities of the Scholarship Committee include:
- Review all scholarship applications received by the Texas Foster Family Association
- Issue written reports to the Board of Directors as required, recommending qualified candidates to receive scholarships
- Advise the Board of Directors in establishing and modifying scholarship criteria and other elements of the scholarship program
- Assume such other functions as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors
Meetings
The Committee will meet at least twice a year and may conduct additional meetings as necessary. The Committee Chair shall give reasonable notice to all Committee members of the place, day, time and purpose or purposes for any Committee meeting. Meetings may be conducted in person or by conference call.
Training and Education: Chair Frank Lopez (training-education@tffa.org)
The Training and Education Committee of the Texas Foster Family Association identifies areas of training for its members, the vetting child-welfare experts to provide such training and ensure these opportunities are offered in various formats. The committee believes that training is the foundation for creating a positive home environment where children thrive.
Committee Objective
The Training and Education Committee strives to provide all members with valuable and relevant training that helps to improve the lives of children in care.
Portfolio Representatives
- Child Placement Agencies