As a foster parent, you must always act in the child's best interests.
Unfortunately, not every child in America has the advantage of growing up in a safe, loving home environment. In Nebraska, children are placed in foster care by the Department of Health & Human Services when it is deemed that they are unable to safely remain in their own homes. Usually, foster care is a temporary situation. Foster parents are expected to act as professional team members in their foster child's care, by helping the child and her family achieve their goals, according to the Department of Human Services. In Omaha, you can become a foster parent if you meet requirements established by the state of Nebraska.
Instructions
1. Contact a foster care caseworker in your area. For Omaha, the nearest office is the Douglas County Department of Human Services. The caseworker can explain the basic qualifications necessary to become a foster parent, which include being at least 19 years of age, as well as the ability to demonstrate that you are in good health and financially stable.
2. Complete background requirements. In order to satisfy federal and state requirements for prospective foster parents, you and members of your household must pass criminal background and child-abuse registry checks. You must also submit three favorable references.
3. Complete a 27-hour training course known as PRIDE. The course covers child development; building supportive, nurturing relationships with foster children and their families; and addressing developmental delays.
4. Make sure your home meets certain standards, such as water safety and a separate bed for each foster child. Depending on the number of children you care for, you may also be required to comply with fire-safety codes and receive a visit from a state sanitarian, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
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