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Relatives and friends are the most natural resources there are to help and support bio-parents and children in need of out-of-home care. Therefore, DHHS is required by law to find and contact relatives and other people with close connections to the family when a child enters state custody.
Kinship & Relative caregivers have a connection to this family that none of the professionals have. This connection is real and important, even if they “haven’t talked in ages.’”
Because of the connection to the family, a Relative or Kinship home may:

  •  Best meet the child’s needs.
  •  Maintain better connections to the child’s family.
  •  Offer the permanency the child might need.

For Relatives, please look at the Online Foster Parent Training available on the DHHS website. It will take approximately 5 hours to complete all the modules to help in getting you licensed as a Relative Foster Home (Those who are related to the child by blood, marriage or adoption). 

For Kinship families (those known to the child but are not related), you will need to go through the entire process of becoming a licensed foster parent. 

Please give NFAPA a call for any questions you may have about foster care.  877-257-0176

Support Groups for Relative & Kinship Families

NFAPA Support Groups:  In-Person & Virtually

Kearney (In-person):   May 1, 2026   &   July 3, 2026
                                      Relative & Kinship Families
                                      7:00 pm-8:30 pm (CT)
                                      Support and 1-hour of training
                                      RSVP to Vicki:  308-352-6079 or Vicki@nfapa.org

Scottsbluff (In-person):  June 5, 2026    &    August 7, 2026
                                          Relative & Kinship Families
                                          7:00 pm-8:30 pm (MT)
                                          Support and 1-hour of training
                                          RSVP to Vicki:  308-352-6079 or Vicki@nfapa.org

Virtual (Zoom):  Second Thursday in May, June, July, & August
                          6:30 pm-8:00 pm (CT)
                          For all foster, adoptive, kinship, relative and guardianship families
                          Support and 1-hour of training
                            RSVP to Vicki:  308-352-6079 or Vicki@nfapa.org

Lincoln (In-Person):  Usually the fourth Tuesday of the month unless an event is planned
                                 6:15 pm-8:00 pm (CT)
                                 For Multi-Racial families
                                 Support Only  (Potluck dinner from 6:15 pm-6:45 pm)
                                 RSVP to Jessica:  Jessica@nfapa.org

FACEBOOK:  FACES:  Tuesdays at 9:00 pm (CT)
                                 9:00 pm
                                 Support, must have Facebook Account
                                 Contact Robbi for link:  Robbi@nfapa.org

Who We Serve

Resource Family Consultants

Our staff includes Resource Family Consultants who specialize in one-on-one relationships, which provide foster parents with emotional encouragement, skill reinforcement, and parenting strategies unique to providing out-of-home care.

Scholarships

The Nebraska Foster & Adoptive Parent Association (NFAPA) offers scholarships to adoptive, foster, guardianship or kinship youth who wish to further their education beyond high school or GED.

Become a Foster Parent

There is an ongoing need in Nebraska for families willing to share their hearts and their homes with children who require temporary foster care. There is also a need for “forever” families for our waiting children, especially teens, who are available for adoption.