Requirements for Becoming a Foster Parent in Nebraska

Nebraska foster parents are able to choose between four types of care: traditional foster care, respite care, emergency care and pre-adoption care. While each type of foster care places different demands of Nebraska's foster parents, the requirements to provide each type of care remain the same. A foster care license is valid for two years before it must be renewed.

  1. Prequalifications

    • Potential foster parents in Nebraska must meet all of the state's prerequisites before applying to provide care. Potential foster parents must be financially independent and not reliant on foster care payments, able to provide proper care and supervision for foster children and have problem-solving and listening skills. Foster parents must also be willing and able to work with a child's biological family, caseworkers and other members of the foster care team and be open to meeting the challenges involved with helping foster children develop both physically and mentally.

    Licensing

    • Prospective foster parents who meet Nebraska's qualification standards must begin the licensing process. Parents must be at least 19 years old, show that they are in good health, provide three references and obey all state laws regarding child restraint seats and children's seat belts. The foster home must have a bed for each child, and all private wells must be tested to ensure they meet state standards. Parents who choose to foster four or more children must ensure that their home meets the state's fire code requirements, and parents who wish to care for seven or more foster children must agree to a visit from a state sanitarian.

    Training

    • Before having a foster care license issued, potential foster parents must complete 27 hours of training. Pre-service training for Nebraska foster parents provides information on foster parent responsibilities and reimbursement, services available to help, how to prepare the family for foster children, how to work with biological parents, how foster children typically react to separation from their families and how to be considerate of their needs, feelings and behaviors.

    Payment

    • Foster parents are not required to pay for many of the services provided for a foster child. As of October 2010, Nebraska pays foster parents a minimum of $326 a month for a foster child's care. The payment should be used to help foster parents with the costs of caring for the child including clothing, room and board, an allowance and transportation. Foster parents are also not expected to pay for child care when at work as the state provides payment for child care.

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