CONTACT
Garret Swanson, Office of Communications, 402-480-0883; garret.swanson@nebraska.gov
Lincoln – May is National Foster Care Month and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) encourages all Nebraskans to consider becoming foster parents. Foster parents are the backbone of the foster care system and becoming a foster parent is a unique opportunity to positively change the life of a youth forever. Becoming a foster parent involves five steps and those interested in becoming foster parents should examine the five steps to see if they qualify.
1. Background checks - These are required on all members of their household ages 18 years old and older, including a national criminal history check through fingerprinting for all household members age 18 years old and older.
2. Home Study - A home study is required and is conducted by either the Department of Health and Human Services or a contracted foster care agency.
3. References - Three positive references are required for each adult household member who will provide care to children.
4. Application - A completed foster care licensing application and a health information report are required for each adult household member providing care, signed by a health practitioner. These forms will be provided to you by DHHS.
5. Training - Adult household members providing care are required to attend foster parent pre-service training. This training will be provided to you by DHHS.
Prospective foster parents seeking more information should visit https://dhhs.ne.gov/FosterCare or contact the Nebraska Foster and Adoptive Parent Association hotline at 1-800-7PARENT. Additional information and support for individuals considering becoming foster parents can be found at https://nfapa.org/. Parents who are already fostering a child can visit the Nebraska Friends of Foster Children website at http://ne-friends.org/ to apply for grants or access unique resources that assist with providing care for foster children.
At 12:00 PM today, Alger Studstill, Deputy Director of Protection and Safety for the Division of Children and Family Services was joined by Nebraska Foster and Adoptive Parent Association Executive Director Felicia Nelson for a Facebook Live to discuss the importance of foster care parents and their experiences working in the foster care system. The stream was broadcasted over DHHS's Facebook page and can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/NEDHHS.
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