How to Become a Foster Parent in Nebraska

Description

Nebraska foster care provides temporary, safe, and nurturing homes for children who cannot safely remain with their families because of abuse, neglect, abandonment, or other circumstances. Foster parents provide daily care while supporting children's physical, emotional, educational, developmental, behavioral, and social needs. They work alongside the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, birth families, schools, healthcare providers, therapists, attorneys, and the courts to help children achieve permanency.

Agency

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Children and Family Services, oversees foster care licensing, child welfare services, adoption, kinship care, and permanency planning throughout Nebraska.

Who Can Apply

Nebraska welcomes qualified adults who are at least 21 years old and able to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing home. Applicants may be single, married, divorced, or widowed and may rent or own their residence. Licensing decisions focus on an applicant's ability to meet children's needs rather than family structure.

Average Time To License

Most applicants complete the licensing process within approximately three to six months, although timelines vary depending upon training schedules, paperwork completion, background screenings, home study requirements, and any necessary home safety corrections.

Website

Visit the official agency website

Minimum Age

Applicants must be at least 21 years old. Licensing specialists also evaluate maturity, emotional stability, physical and mental health, parenting ability, financial stability, and the capacity to provide a safe and supportive home for children.

Residency

Applicants must reside in Nebraska and participate fully in the licensing process, including orientation, training, home study interviews, home inspections, background screenings, and ongoing supervision by Nebraska DHHS or a contracted licensing agency.

Marital Status

Applicants may be single, married, divorced, widowed, or legally separated. Married couples generally complete the licensing process together. Licensing decisions are based on household stability and caregiving ability rather than marital status.

Income Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial stability to meet their existing household expenses without relying upon foster care reimbursement payments. Foster care maintenance payments are intended to reimburse expenses associated with caring for foster children rather than serve as household income.

Home Ownership

Applicants may rent or own their residence. Houses, apartments, duplexes, townhomes, manufactured homes, and other lawful residences may qualify if they meet Nebraska licensing standards for safety, sanitation, utilities, and adequate living space.

Bedroom Requirements

Children must have safe and appropriate sleeping arrangements, including their own bed. Bedroom sharing is evaluated according to licensing regulations, children's ages, genders, sibling relationships, developmental needs, privacy, and safety.

Transportation

Applicants must maintain reliable transportation for school, medical appointments, counseling, family visitation, court hearings, extracurricular activities, and emergencies. Drivers must maintain valid licenses, required insurance, and age-appropriate child restraint systems.

Health Requirements

Applicants may be required to provide medical information demonstrating that physical or mental health conditions will not interfere with providing safe and appropriate care. Licensing specialists evaluate overall health and any conditions affecting caregiving responsibilities.

Pet Policy

Pets are permitted provided they are healthy, safely supervised, appropriately vaccinated when required, and do not present an unreasonable danger to children placed in the home.

Firearm Policy

Firearms, ammunition, bows, crossbows, and other dangerous weapons must be legally possessed and securely stored to prevent unauthorized access by children. Firearms should remain unloaded while stored, with ammunition secured separately whenever possible.

Contact Agency

Prospective foster parents begin by contacting the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services or an approved contracted child placing agency to express interest in becoming licensed foster parents.

Attend Orientation

Applicants attend an informational orientation explaining Nebraska's foster care system, reunification, licensing requirements, required training, financial assistance, placement expectations, and the responsibilities of foster parents.

Choose Agency

Many Nebraska foster parents complete licensing through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, while others work with private child placing agencies contracted by the state to recruit, train, license, and support foster families.

Documents Needed

• Completed foster parent application
• Government-issued identification
• Birth certificates when requested
• Marriage certificate if applicable
• Social Security numbers
• Background screening authorization forms
• Medical examination forms
• Employment verification
• Income documentation
• Personal references
• Driver's license
• Vehicle registration
• Proof of automobile insurance
• Emergency contact information
• Pet vaccination records when applicable
• Additional documentation requested by the licensing agency

Required

Yes

Description

Nebraska requires prospective foster parents to participate in orientation before or early in the licensing process. Orientation introduces applicants to trauma-informed parenting, child development, abuse and neglect, reunification, permanency planning, confidentiality, cultural competency, licensing expectations, and available support services.

How To Register

Orientation sessions are scheduled through Nebraska DHHS or an approved contracted child placing agency after an initial inquiry is submitted.

Duration

Orientation length varies by agency but is generally completed before applicants begin pre-service training and the formal home study process.

Application Process

Following orientation, applicants complete the foster parent application, authorize background screenings, provide required documentation, complete pre-service training, participate in interviews and home visits, undergo home safety inspections, and work with a licensing specialist to complete the home study before final approval.

Required Documents

• Completed foster parent application
• Government-issued identification
• Background screening authorization forms
• Medical examination forms
• Employment and income verification
• Personal references
• Marriage certificate if applicable
• Driver's license
• Vehicle registration
• Proof of automobile insurance
• Emergency contact information
• Pet vaccination records when applicable
• Additional documentation requested by the licensing agency

References Required

Applicants provide personal references who can evaluate their character, parenting abilities, emotional stability, reliability, relationships, and overall suitability to provide foster care. References are reviewed during the home study.

Interview Process

Licensing specialists interview applicants and household members regarding family history, parenting philosophy, discipline practices, finances, health, trauma awareness, support systems, placement preferences, motivation to foster, cultural competency, and readiness to partner with birth families and child welfare professionals.

Required

Yes

Curriculum

Nebraska requires prospective foster parents to complete approximately 30 hours of pre-service training before licensure. Training prepares applicants to understand trauma-informed parenting, child development, attachment, grief and loss, behavior management, abuse and neglect, cultural competency, permanency planning, reunification, confidentiality, mandated reporting, and working collaboratively with birth families, schools, healthcare providers, and child welfare professionals.

Required Hours

Prospective foster parents complete approximately 30 hours of pre-service training before becoming licensed. Licensed foster parents must also complete annual in-service training to maintain licensure and continue developing their caregiving skills.

Online Available

Yes. Portions of Nebraska's pre-service training may be offered through virtual or online formats depending upon the licensing agency and region. Some sessions or activities may require in-person participation.

Certification

Completion of pre-service training is one requirement for licensure but does not independently approve a foster home. Applicants must also complete the home study, background screenings, home safety inspection, interviews, references, and all other licensing requirements before a foster care license is issued.

Required

Yes

Interviews

A Nebraska DHHS licensing specialist or contracted child placing agency representative conducts multiple interviews with applicants and household members to evaluate parenting abilities, family relationships, motivation to foster, emotional stability, support systems, finances, discipline philosophy, health, trauma awareness, and readiness to provide foster care.

Home Visits

Licensing specialists conduct one or more home visits to evaluate compliance with Nebraska foster home licensing standards. The home is inspected for cleanliness, adequate living space, sleeping arrangements, sanitation, fire safety, utilities, and any conditions affecting child safety.

Topics Covered

• Motivation for becoming a foster parent
• Understanding foster care as temporary care
• Commitment to reunification whenever possible
• Family history and household relationships
• Marriage or partner relationship when applicable
• Parenting experience and caregiving skills
• Discipline philosophy and behavior management
• Understanding trauma and attachment
• Child development
• Grief, loss, and separation
• Ability to care for children with special needs
• Physical and mental health
• Substance use history
• Criminal and child abuse history
• Employment and financial stability
• Transportation arrangements
• Support systems
• Emergency preparedness
• Cultural awareness and diversity
• Working with birth families
• Confidentiality requirements
• Firearms and weapon storage
• Pets and animal safety
• Household safety hazards
• Bedroom arrangements
• Placement preferences
• Educational advocacy
• Family strengths and areas needing additional preparation

Timeline

The home study is completed alongside pre-service training, background screenings, document collection, and home inspections. Most applicants complete the overall licensing process within approximately three to six months.

Bedroom Rules

Each foster child must have an individual bed with appropriate bedding and adequate personal space. Bedroom arrangements must comply with Nebraska licensing regulations regarding age, gender, sibling relationships, privacy, and child safety.

Smoke Detectors

Working smoke detectors must be installed throughout the home according to state and local fire safety requirements. Licensing specialists verify proper operation during the home inspection.

Fire Extinguisher

Homes should maintain accessible fire extinguishers and establish an emergency evacuation plan. Licensing specialists review emergency preparedness during the licensing process.

Medications

Prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, medical supplies, controlled substances, and potentially dangerous items must be securely stored and inaccessible to children.

Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning products, chemicals, pesticides, poisons, alcohol, fuels, sharp objects, and other hazardous materials must be stored securely to prevent child access.

Firearms

Firearms must be unloaded and secured in locked storage. Ammunition should be stored separately in a locked location. All weapons must remain inaccessible to foster children.

Pools

Swimming pools, hot tubs, ponds, and other bodies of water must have approved barriers, fencing, covers, or other protective measures that prevent unsupervised child access. Additional safety requirements may apply.

Pets

Pets must be healthy, appropriately vaccinated when required, safely supervised, and not pose an unreasonable danger to foster children. Licensing specialists may request veterinary documentation if concerns arise.

Vehicle Requirements

Vehicles transporting foster children must be legally registered, insured, maintained in safe operating condition, and equipped with age-appropriate child restraint systems. Drivers must maintain valid driver's licenses.

Fingerprinting

Applicants and all required adult household members must complete fingerprint-based state and federal criminal history background checks before licensure.

Child Abuse Registry

Nebraska reviews child abuse and neglect registry records for applicants and applicable household members. Additional child welfare record checks may be required for applicants who previously resided in other states.

Criminal History

Licensing specialists review criminal history, child protection records, prior foster care licensing history, and other information relevant to child safety. Applicants should fully disclose prior criminal incidents during the licensing process.

Disqualifying Offenses

Certain felony convictions, violent crimes, crimes against children, sexual offenses, serious drug-related offenses, substantiated child abuse findings, and other disqualifying conduct may prevent foster home licensure under Nebraska and federal law.

Additional Checks

Additional evaluations may include driving record reviews, employment verification, personal references, financial stability assessments, household composition verification, and other screenings necessary to ensure child safety.

Steps

• Submit an inquiry to Nebraska DHHS or a contracted child placing agency.
• Attend foster parent orientation.
• Complete the foster parent application.
• Submit required documentation.
• Authorize background screenings.
• Complete fingerprinting.
• Provide personal references.
• Complete approximately 30 hours of pre-service training.
• Participate in home study interviews.
• Complete home safety inspections.
• Correct any identified deficiencies.
• Receive licensing approval recommendation.
• Receive foster home license.
• Discuss placement preferences and approved capacity.
• Complete annual training and license renewal requirements.

Average Timeline

Most Nebraska applicants complete the licensing process within approximately three to six months, depending upon completion of training, paperwork, inspections, interviews, and background screenings.

Renewal Requirements

Licensed foster homes must renew their license periodically according to Nebraska regulations. Renewal includes updated home visits, continued compliance with licensing standards, annual training completion, and submission of any required documentation updates.

Ongoing Training

Licensed foster parents complete annual in-service training covering trauma-informed care, behavior management, child development, medical issues, cultural competency, permanency planning, educational advocacy, abuse prevention, and additional topics identified by Nebraska DHHS or the family's licensing agency.

How Placements Work

After licensure, Nebraska DHHS or the family's contracted child placing agency matches children with foster families based upon the child's needs and the family's approved capacity, experience, location, preferences, training, and ability to meet medical, emotional, educational, developmental, and behavioral needs. The agency also considers school stability, sibling relationships, and proximity to birth families whenever possible.

Can Decline Placements

Yes. Foster parents may decline placements they do not believe they can safely or successfully support. Families are encouraged to ask questions regarding the child's history, medical needs, behaviors, visitation schedule, medications, school placement, and services before accepting a placement.

Emergency Placements

Nebraska maintains foster homes willing to accept emergency placements at any time of day or night when children must be removed immediately for their safety. Emergency placements often occur with limited background information available.

Sibling Groups

Nebraska makes every reasonable effort to keep siblings together whenever it is safe and appropriate. When siblings cannot remain together, DHHS works to preserve sibling relationships through visitation and continued contact whenever possible.

Age Preferences

Applicants identify the ages, number of children, sibling groups, placement types, medical conditions, disabilities, behavioral needs, and other characteristics they are prepared to accept. These preferences are documented during licensing and considered when matching children with foster families.

Monthly Board Rate

Licensed Nebraska foster parents receive maintenance payments to help cover the daily costs of caring for children in foster care. Payment amounts vary according to the child's needs, placement setting, level of care, and whether the home is supported directly by DHHS or through a contracted child placing agency.

Clothing Allowance

Nebraska may authorize assistance for clothing and personal-care items when children enter foster care without adequate belongings or need replacement clothing because of growth, seasonal changes, school requirements, or other approved circumstances. Community foster-care closets may also provide clothing and supplies.

Daycare Assistance

Childcare assistance may be authorized when it is necessary to maintain a foster placement, support foster parent employment, or meet responsibilities in the child's case plan. Eligibility and payment arrangements should be confirmed with the child's caseworker or licensing agency.

Medical Coverage

Children placed in Nebraska foster care generally receive healthcare coverage through Nebraska Medicaid or another state-arranged plan. Coverage may include medical care, hospitalization, behavioral health treatment, dental services, vision services, prescriptions, therapy, and other medically necessary services.

Mileage Reimbursement

Nebraska may reimburse foster parents for approved transportation associated with a child's placement or case plan, including travel for medical care, counseling, family visitation, court proceedings, school-related needs, and other authorized appointments. Families should keep accurate mileage records and follow their agency's reimbursement procedures.

Additional Benefits

Depending upon the child's needs and placement level, foster families may receive respite care, clothing or personal-care assistance, specialized training, behavioral health services, crisis intervention, peer support, enhanced payments for higher levels of care, and other case-specific assistance approved by DHHS or the family's contracted agency.

Respite Care

Nebraska permits planned or occasional respite care to provide foster parents and other caregivers with a temporary break while helping prevent caregiver burnout and placement disruption. Respite may also be used during urgent situations when the child is expected to return to the same placement.

Support Groups

Nebraska foster parents may access support groups, training, resource referrals, and networking opportunities through the Nebraska Foster and Adoptive Parent Association, contracted child placing agencies, local organizations, and statewide family-support providers.

Mentoring

Mentoring and peer support may be available through the Nebraska Foster and Adoptive Parent Association and individual licensing agencies. Experienced caregivers can help newer foster parents understand agency procedures, court involvement, documentation, family contact, trauma-related behaviors, and placement challenges.

Counseling

Children in foster care may receive trauma-focused counseling, behavioral health treatment, crisis services, psychiatric care, family therapy, developmental evaluations, and other medically necessary services. Nebraska also operates enhanced programs for youth who require comprehensive or therapeutic family care.

Crisis Support

Foster families receive support through DHHS caseworkers, contracted agency staff, supervisors, behavioral health providers, emergency contacts, and specialized programs. Nebraska's Therapeutic Family Care program provides eligible youth and caregivers with care coordination and access to crisis behavioral health services, including around-the-clock crisis-provider availability.

Available

Yes. Nebraska allows licensed foster-adoptive families to be considered as permanent adoptive resources when reunification and other preferred permanency options are no longer appropriate and adoption becomes the child's approved permanency goal.

Process

Applicants interested in adopting from foster care must become approved as a licensed foster-adoptive family. Foster parents are expected to support reunification and participate in the child's case plan while reunification remains the goal. If adoption later becomes appropriate, DHHS evaluates prospective adoptive families according to the child's needs and best interests.

Legal Risk

Foster placement does not guarantee adoption. Children may reunify with their parents, move to relatives or kin, enter guardianship, or achieve permanency through another arrangement. Adoption may proceed only after the necessary legal steps have been completed and the child is legally eligible.

Adoption Subsidy

Eligible children adopted from Nebraska foster care may qualify for adoption assistance. Assistance may include monthly support for the child's daily needs, medical coverage, eligible legal expenses, and other approved benefits. Required subsidy paperwork must be completed before the adoption is finalized.

Available

Yes. Nebraska prioritizes placement with relatives first and then with kinship caregivers who have a significant pre-existing relationship with the child, such as family friends, teachers, coaches, neighbors, godparents, or parents of the child's friends.

Licensing Differences

Relative and kinship caregivers may receive a placement before completing the same process used for a traditional licensed foster home. They must still satisfy applicable background, safety, and caregiver requirements. Nebraska provides dedicated online training and support resources for relative and kinship placements.

Financial Support

Nebraska has historically provided relative and kinship foster caregivers with the same level of foster-care financial assistance available to non-relative caregivers when applicable requirements are met. Additional support may include Medicaid, economic-assistance programs, childcare, Kinship Navigator services, guardianship assistance, adoption assistance, and referrals to community resources.

Can I become a foster parent if I am single?

Yes. Nebraska welcomes qualified single adults as well as married couples. Licensing decisions focus on an applicant's stability, caregiving abilities, support system, and capacity to meet the needs of children in foster care.

How old do I have to be?

Applicants for traditional foster home licensure in Nebraska must generally be at least 21 years old and demonstrate the maturity, health, judgment, and stability necessary to provide safe care.

Do I have to own my home?

No. Applicants may rent or own their residence. The home must provide adequate living and sleeping space and comply with Nebraska health, sanitation, fire-safety, and foster home licensing requirements.

Can I work outside the home?

Yes. Foster parents may work outside the home. Families must have dependable arrangements for childcare, transportation, supervision, appointments, family visits, court proceedings, emergencies, and other responsibilities connected to the child's case plan.

Do I need to have children of my own?

No. Nebraska does not require applicants to have biological or adopted children. The home study and training process evaluates whether applicants have the skills, understanding, and support necessary to care for children who have experienced trauma and separation.

Is there a minimum income requirement?

Nebraska does not establish one universal income amount for every applicant. Foster parents must demonstrate that they can meet their existing household expenses without depending upon foster care maintenance payments.

What background checks are required?

Background checks are required for household members who are 18 years old or older. Adult caregivers must also complete a national criminal-history check that includes fingerprinting. Child abuse and neglect registry checks and additional screenings may also be required.

Will a criminal record automatically disqualify me?

Not every prior offense automatically prevents approval. Nebraska evaluates the nature and seriousness of the offense, when it occurred, evidence of rehabilitation, current circumstances, and applicable state and federal disqualification requirements. Applicants should disclose their history honestly.

How many references are required?

Nebraska requires three positive reference checks for each adult household member who will provide care to foster children.

Is pre-service training required?

Yes. Adult household members who will provide care must complete Nebraska-approved foster parent pre-service training before licensure. Training addresses trauma, separation, grief, attachment, child development, behavior support, reunification, permanency, and teamwork.

Is ongoing training required?

Yes. Licensed foster parents must complete continuing education for license renewal. Nebraska provides approved online and agency-based training opportunities for ongoing professional development.

Is a home study required?

Yes. A home study is conducted by Nebraska DHHS or a contracted foster care agency. It includes interviews, references, background screenings, document reviews, home visits, safety evaluations, and an assessment of the family's readiness to foster.

Can I have pets?

Yes. Pets must be appropriately cared for, safely supervised, vaccinated when required, and not present an unreasonable safety risk to children placed in the home.

Can I own firearms?

Yes. Firearms, ammunition, bows, and other weapons must be legally possessed and securely stored so they are inaccessible to children. Applicants must comply with all Nebraska licensing and household-safety requirements.

Can foster children share bedrooms?

Children may share bedrooms when the arrangement complies with Nebraska licensing rules and is appropriate for their ages, genders, sibling relationships, developmental needs, privacy, behaviors, and personal safety.

Can I choose the ages of children I foster?

Yes. Applicants identify the ages, number of children, sibling groups, placement types, disabilities, medical conditions, and behavioral needs they believe they can safely support. These preferences are considered when placements are proposed.

Can I decline a placement?

Yes. Foster parents may decline a placement they do not believe they can safely or successfully support. Families should ask questions about the child's needs, behaviors, health, visitation, school, medications, and services before accepting.

What types of foster homes does Nebraska recognize?

Nebraska recognizes relative foster homes, kinship foster homes, and licensed foster homes. The state prioritizes relatives first, then adults with significant pre-existing relationships with the child, before seeking a traditional foster family.

What is a kinship foster home?

A kinship foster home is provided by an adult who is not biologically or legally related to the child but has a significant pre-existing relationship with the child. Examples include a teacher, coach, neighbor, godparent, family friend, or parent of the child's friend.

Am I expected to support reunification?

Yes. Safe reunification is generally the initial permanency goal. Foster parents are expected to support appropriate family relationships, participate in case planning, cooperate with visitation, and work respectfully with children's parents and relatives.

Will I receive financial assistance?

Licensed foster parents receive maintenance payments intended to help cover the child's daily needs. Nebraska also provides qualifying relative and kinship caregivers with financial assistance comparable to that available to non-relative foster caregivers.

Do foster children receive medical coverage?

Children in Nebraska foster care generally receive medical coverage through Nebraska Medicaid or another state-arranged healthcare plan. Coverage may include medical, dental, vision, prescription, behavioral health, and therapeutic services.

Is respite care available?

Respite care may be available to provide temporary relief for foster parents and help preserve placement stability. Respite arrangements should be coordinated with the child's caseworker or the family's supporting agency.

Can I adopt a child placed in my home?

Possibly. To adopt from Nebraska foster care, a family must be approved as a licensed foster-adoptive family. Foster parents may be considered when adoption becomes the child's permanency goal, but placement does not guarantee adoption.

Does fostering guarantee adoption?

No. Foster care is temporary. A child may reunify with parents, move to relatives or kin, enter guardianship, or achieve permanency through another arrangement. Adoption can occur only after the required legal process is completed.

Is adoption assistance available?

Yes. Eligible children adopted from Nebraska foster care may qualify for monthly assistance, medical coverage, legal expenses, and other approved support. The adoption assistance agreement must be completed before the adoption is finalized.

How do I report suspected child abuse or neglect?

Call the Nebraska Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-652-1999 or submit a report through the state's online reporting system. Nebraska law requires anyone with reason to believe a child has been abused or neglected to report the concern. Call 911 when a child is in immediate danger.

Is crisis support available for families?

Yes. The Nebraska Family Helpline provides confidential assistance and referrals to families 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-888-866-8660.

State Agency

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Children and Family Services

Phone

1-800-772-7368 – Nebraska Foster and Adoptive Parent Information Line

Email

[email protected]

Address

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, 301 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln, NE 68509