Foster Care Services
Who We Are
Behavioral Health Specialists has been providing care to children and their families since 1991. The goal of our Foster Care Services program is to provide a personalized level of care to children and families that meet their needs and provide an environment for healing. We specialize in the care of children between the ages of 0-19 whom, for a various number of reasons, are not able to live in their own homes. You can change a child’s or teen’s life by becoming a foster parent.
You Have the Power to Make a Difference
As a foster parent you can provide these children with the love, comfort and stability they need. Your open door is HOPE! Ready to share your heart and home? Contact us today for more information on becoming a Foster Parent, call 402-370-3140.
Join Our Foster Parent Team
Role of the Foster Parent
Foster parents, in their own homes, provide youth with love, safety, structure, consistency and necessary emotional support. These youth may have special behavioral or emotional needs including: abuse/neglect trauma, poor school performance, criminal activity, aggression, mental challenges, and alcohol/drug problems.
The support team of foster parents, therapists, case coordinators and other key individuals develops a treatment plan to meet the individual needs of each child. Foster parents implement these treatment plans to provide an environment conducive toward social growth, self-help, academic success and life skills. The foster parents play a very active role in this support team and are key in recognizing the strengths and potential of each child as well as areas of continued treatment focus.
What Foster Care Providers Receive
Above all, foster parents receive satisfaction from making a difference in the life of a child. Foster parents will also receive: Specialized Training, On-call Support, Generous Stipend, Ongoing Training, Support Groups, and In-Home Consultation for Full-time Parents.
How to Become a Foster Parent
Foster parents must be at least 21 years of age, in good physical and emotional health, no history of child abuse/neglect and free of current alcohol or drug problems. Most importantly, foster parents must have a desire to make a difference in the life of a child. If you are ready to open your heart and home to a foster child, our Youth and Family Services staff will guide you through the process of becoming a foster parent. There are two key components to becoming a foster parent: training and licensing.
Training: The State of Nebraska requires that all foster parents complete 27-41 hours of pre-service training. These trainings focus on the role of the foster parent, working within the support team, emotional needs of a foster child, parenting and teaching techniques, community resources, preparation for placement and much more.
Licensing: The State of Nebraska also requires that all foster homes are licensed to ensure the health and safety of the child. Licensing will include a home study and personal interview of the foster parent(s), background checks and fingerprinting, reference checks and various other application forms. We will work with you to make this process as seamless as possible. Once a license is issued, it is valid for 2 years.