Okanagan Foster Parents Association

Providing support to Foster Parents
of the Okanagan, Similkameen, and Shuswap

• Facebook
• Home
• Frequently Asked Questions


• OFPA Board


• Foster Parent Coordinators
• Become a Foster Parent
• Aboriginal Services
• Foster Care Education Program
• Upcoming Events
• Newsletters
• Forms and Publications
• Libraries
• Life Books
• Local Foster Parent Associations
• Protocols and Support
• Compliments and Complaints
• Important Links
• Contact Information

OFPA Board

Mission Statement : The purpose of the Okanagan Foster Parents Association is to provide education and support to Foster Parents in the Okanagan, Similkameen and Shuswap.

Vision Statement : To enable Foster Parents to be better able to care for themselves and the children in their care because of the education and support provided by the Okanagan Foster Parents Association.

Satisfaction Survey Results 2012 (PDF)

Click here to view the 2012 OFPA Annual Report (PDF)

Board of the Okanagan Foster Parents Association:

The Board of Directors of the Okanagan Foster Parents Association may be reached by emailing the board.




President: Bonnie Thompson - Oliver, B.C.

Bonnie has been President of OFPA since it was formed in 2002. She has also been President of the Oliver Foster Parents Association since 1998.

Bonnie’s family has fostered since 1992, mostly as a level 3 resource. Bonnie has three “bonus” kids, children who have remained as part of her family and others that continue to keep in touch. Bonnie and her husband got in to fostering to give back to their community and she feels that helping foster parents be better at what they do is a big part of that.

Vice-President: Jessica Macfarlane - Kelowna, B.C.

Jessica has been Vice-President of OFPA since 2007, after representing the Central Okanagan for three years. She has been very active with the Kelowna Foster Parents Association Board.

Jessica and her family have been fostering since 1999. Her home tends to receive longer term foster children; in fact their first foster child is still with them. She enjoys the challenges and rewards of sharing her home with others.

Treasurer: Gerry Schalm - Penticton, B.C.

Gerry is a founding member of OFPA. He served for many years as Treasurer for the Okanagan Regional Council of BCFFPA, before becoming Treasurer for OFPA.

Gerry and his family began fostering in 1979. In 1984 they adopted three children and took a sabbatical from fostering for a few years. In 1981 they became a specialized care home, until 2009 when they retired.

Secretary: John Brent Musgrave - Oliver, B.C.

John and his wife have nine years experience as Foster Parents. He has taught and developed educational programs for a wide range of students – from kindergarten through university. John has lived and worked with native peoples in the north as well as with economically disadvantaged youth in the inner cities.

John is a founding member of OFPA.

North Okanagan: Pat Hudson - Armstrong, B.C.

Pat is a member of the Vernon Foster Parents Association and has served on their board for several years as Treasurer, and Membership Chairperson.

He and his wife Marilyn have fostered since 1994. They have three adult married daughters, and six grandchildren.

Central Okanagan: Melanie Filiatrault - Kelowna, B.C.

Melanie and her family have been fostering since 1988. She has a great deal of experience and background with children with special needs, especially those who are medically fragile.

Melanie is a founding member of Okanagan Foster Parents Association. She has also been involved with the BCFFPA since 1995, serving in various positions on local and regional councils, and at the provincial level. In 2010 she stepped down from her position as President of the Provincial Board of BCFFPA after serving for 4 years in that capacity.