2024 Proclamation-Celebrating Foster Care Month
On May 1st we celebrated National Foster Care Month with a Proclamation with Governor Pillen.
Thank you to all the hard-working foster parents in Nebraska who are making a tremendous impact on the child/youth in their home.
A View from the Bench
Court Improvement Project
The Court Improvement Project, in conjunction with foster parents and judges, developed the video below as a second in their "A View from the Bench" series. This video is targeted to foster parents, to encourage their participation in hearings, and to increase understanding of the court procedure. You can view the video by clicking on the link below.
PTI Nebraska
PTI Nebraska discusses early intervention, special education, health care needs and other topics parents of children with disabilities might encounter. Check out these podcasts! https://talkingspecialneeds.buzzsprout.com/
Information on Children's Hospital system and their Electronic Health Record
Do you work with foster children that have a Children’s Hospital and Medical Center medical provider? Foster parents can now access Children’s Hospital & Medical Center’s health portal (Children’s Connect) which allows them access to pertinent medical information for their foster children (communication with the child’s health care team, request medication refills, etc.)
· If foster parents have questions about this access, please have them reach out to the child’s medical provider.
· If you have any questions, please reach out to Karen Moran at Karen.moran@nebraska.gov.
MONEY FOR FOSTER PARENTS
FROM NEBRASKA FRIENDS OF FOSTER CHILDREN
Does your foster child want to be like normal kids? Does he/she like to participate in sports, or needs money for drivers education? Does your kiddo like to attend summer camps, take swimming lessons but you, as a foster parent, have limited funds?
If this is you, please visit our website: www.ne-friends.org
You will find more information on Nebraska Friends of Foster Children. By filling out the application on our website you can apply for a grant to help fund your foster child’s activities. You can submit it online or mail the application.
The mission of NFFC is to provide for unmet needs and enhance opportunities for foster children in Nebraska. NFFC is a non-profit organization, was founded in 1992, to improve the lives of foster children by accepting and funding requests for items and experiences normally out of reach for foster parents with limited budgets.
As can be imagined, the cost of “extras” such as band uniforms, football shoes, summer camp and music lessons exceed the monthly stipend. While foster families are traditionally giving in nature, they still may not have the resources available to them to offer their foster child any of the additional “extras” that enhance their quality of life, build character and offer life-changing experiences.
Requests that can be funded:
Drivers Education
Sport Equipment
Sports Activity Fees
Dance/Music Lessons
Senior Pictures
Graduation expenses
Eye Glasses
Prom attire
Summer Camps
This is not a complete list but NFFC will fund the ”extras” to enhance your foster child’s life within our guidelines.
The form is simple and can be filled out by the foster parent. It DOES NOT NEED YOUR CASE WORKER OR FOSTER CARE SPEICIALIST signature. Receipts do need to be included or we can write a check to the organization that you are requiring assistance from without a receipt. The application can be mailed or sent online. The application will be processed in 4-6 weeks.
Please visit our website to apply for a grant or email us with additional questions. www.ne-friends.org
Child Passenger Restraint Law: January 2019
Children must ride rear facing until at least age 2, or until they reach the upper weight limit allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer. (Primary Law)
Children under age 8 must ride in the back seat, as long as the seat is equipped with a seat belt and is not already occupied by other children under age 8.(Primary Law)
Children up to age 8 must ride correctly secured in a federally-approved child safety seat. (Primary Law)
Children ages 8 to 18 must ride secured in a safety belt or child safety seat. (Secondary Law)
Team Meetings
The Team Needs You!
We believe we are better together!
We know that children grow best in families! Foster families provide an essential and valuable service when children are unable to remain in their own homes. We want foster families to foster families! We want foster families to engage in supporting biological families in their reunification process. We want foster families to teach biological families how to engage their children while instilling good character and values such as respect, trustworthiness, responsibility, fairness, and caring. We want you to be a member of the team and we recognize the knowledge you bring to the team process.
We are encouraging our Children and Family Support Specialists to ensure that foster families are invited to participate in the child and family team meetings. We believe at a minimum it is essential that you provide information on how the kids are doing in your home and what they need to be supported from the team. A parent may choose to excuse you from the child and family team meeting once this discussion concludes and that is okay. We need to respect their decision-making on what to share with you about themselves. We are excited to have additional collaboration and success as the team supports one another.
Lori Harder, Deputy Director Children and Family Services and Theresa Starr, Program Specialist Children and Family Services
A CHANCE TO GET INVOLVED!
The Foster Care Review Office (FCRO) is looking for interested persons that would like to be a local board member in Lincoln or Omaha. Board members review the cases of children placed in out-of-home foster care and are required to attend their board meeting once per month. People who can serve on a day board are especially needed, however those who can serve on a board that meets in the evening are also needed. Please contact Mary Furnas at mary.furnas@nebraska.gov or call 402-471-4665 for more information.
FISHING PERMIT FOR FOSTER CHILDREN
Once again the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has issued DHHS a permit to take wards of the state fishing on a group basis for therapeutic purposes. The permit is for wards 16 and over. The person who is accompanying the ward must have their own permit (which we do not provide) if they are actively fishing. The permit is not for wards to go fishing by themselves. If the wards are under 16 they do not need a fishing permit. Click here for a copy of the permit.
