Where Do I Start?
Where Do I Start?
Many people are interested in foster child adoption but are unsure where to start.This page is to help you navigate your way through the foster child adoption process.Given the fact that this is a lot of information, there is a packet that you can upload withthe same information here. If you are unable to download this, you may contact us at fosteradoption@nebraskaheartgallery.org or call us at 402-504-3652.
Foster Adoption Inquiry Packet
If you are not a resident of Nebraska, please note that this informational packet pertains only to Nebraska residents. For information in your area, contact your local adoption agency or your State’s Department of Health and Human Services.
Steps to becoming a Foster Adoptive Parent
Step 1: Contact your local Service Area agency
Nebraska is divided into five different service areas: Eastern, Southeast, Northern, Central, and Western Service Areas. Each of these areas have one or more lead agencies that are responsible for training prospective foster parents, completing home studies and submitting required licensing documents to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. To find your home’s service area, click on the link below or see the map attached to end of this packet. You will find you service area’s lead agency’s information on the next page and you may call one or all agencies listed under your service area.
Eastern Service Area
Nebraska Families Collaborative KVC
(402) 498 -1240 10909 Mill Valley Rd #100
Email: contactus@nebraskafc.org Omaha, NE 68154
http://www.nebraskafc.org (402) 431-4200
Southeast Service Area
KVC
5220 S 16th St
Lincoln NE
(402) 476-0040
1-888-655-5500
Northern, Central and Western Service Area
Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Children & Family Services
P.O. Box 95026
Lincoln, NE 68509-5044
Phone: (402) 471-9272
http://dhhs.ne.gov/Children_Family_Services/
All Service Areas
The Nebraska Foster and Adoptive Parent Association
2431 Fairfield, Suite C
Lincoln, NE 68521
308-631-5847
If you are unsure who to contact, you should contact NFAPA and they will direct.
Step 2: Register and Attend Training Classes
Once you have contacted your lead agency, they will inform you of their criteria for adoptive foster homes. If you meet their criteria, they will inform you of their upcoming training schedule. A lead agency may also refer you to a subcontracting agency (like Child Saving Institute) to complete your foster parent training. This training is for all families regardless if they are currently parents or soon to be parents. This training is to inform potential foster and foster-adoptive parents about the children that come into the foster care system and how each child may have specific needs that require professional help.
Step 3: Complete an Adoptive Home Study
During training, the agency will send a worker out to your home to complete an adoptive home study. This home study typically occurs in your home and consists of at least three visits. During the home study some of the questions you will be asked about are your family’s dynamic, your childhood, your family’s strengths and limitations, financial and emotional stability, and safety of the home. The purpose of the study is to help determine what type of child would be the best match for your family as well as the appropriateness for adoption.
Once you have started your home study, the evaluator will request references, financial statements, employment history, and background checks. After the worker has met with your family and collected all documents, they could approve your family entirely, approve with stipulations or deny. An approval with stipulations would indicate that there is a limitation that your family should address before a child is placed in the home or that a child with certain limitations would not benefit from being in your home. It is important to remember that a stipulated approval or a denial of a potential adoptive family is not a denial that will last forever. The home can be re-evaluated again once you have addressed the issue(s) detailed in the home study.
After you have received an approval to become an adoptive home, you can begin to look for children who are legally free for adoption on our three adoptive websites listed below. On each of the websites is a picture and biography of each child. Once you have found a child or children you are interested in, be ready to give your home study to the Foster Child Adoption Specialist or the child’s Adoption Recruiter to determine if the child is a match for your home. If the child is a good match for your home, your home study will be forwarded to the child’s Child and Family Service Specialist (CFSS) through the Department of Health and Human Services and/or the child’s Service Coordinator. The CFSS or Service Coordinator will then contact you to set up time to meet with them, the child and any other person they feel is important in the child’s life.
Websites for Children who are legally free for adoption:
http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/adoption/
Step 4: Placement of a Child
After making a commitment to the child, the family and child will begin pre-placement visits before the child is placed in the home. The frequency and location of visits will depend on the comfort of the child and adoptive family.
Step 5: Adoption
When a child is ready to move into your home, the CFSS and/or Service Coordinator will arrange for the child and all of their belongings to come into your home. Once the child is officially placed with your family, there is a 6 month period that must pass before Nebraska will allow the adoption to be finalized. This six month period allows for both the family and child to adjust to each other and determine if this is going to be a successful match.