Frequently Asked Questions
Navigating family services can be complex, and it’s normal to have questions. This section is designed to provide clear, supportive answers to common concerns about foster care and parenting services.
Foster Care
Why are kids placed into foster care?
Kids are placed into foster care when authorities have deemed that a child is unsafe in their environment. There are many hardships that could occur that lead to the removal of children from the home, including, but not limited to, abuse, neglect, and drug use. Families often face challenging times; Foster care provides an opportunity for families to have a trusting support system that will care for their children while they work diligently to reunite.
What is the role of Priority Family Services in foster care?
Priority Family Services’ role is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the child who is removed from their environment. This could include placing the youth in kinship care or foster care. The youth can continue to grow and thrive, while the parents work to provide a safe and healthy environment for the family to reunify.
How big does my home need to be to foster?
The size of the home is not the main factor when determining if you are capable of taking a child into your home. The number of bedrooms and private space per child is one of the determining factors. Typically, we prefer our foster homes to have an extra bedroom to place 1-2 children in the extra bedroom.
Where do I inquire about becoming a foster parent?
Please visit our website at www.priorityfamilyservices.org
What is the required training to become a foster parent?
What happens if a child cannot safely reunify with their family?
When a child in foster care cannot safely reunify with their family, the State of Nebraska will determine what is in the best interest of the child. Other family members are often sought after to take the child, however, if that is not an option, then the child may be placed for adoption. At Priority Family Services, our desire is to provide a “first placement, last placement” for the youth we serve. If deemed not appropriate for a youth to return home, Priority Family Services desires that the home where the youth is currently placed will provide permanency. However, this is not mandatory, and if this cannot occur, Priority Family Services will look to find a home that can adequately and permanently care for the youth.
Parenting Time
What is the role of a parenting time staff member?
Parenting Time staff members are directly involved with supervising visits between children and their families. They also provide transportation to and from the visits for the family members involved. Parenting time brings families back together to help maintain family bonds while the child(ren) are placed in out of home placement. Parenting Time visits occur in community or in home settings. Visits can involved the following tasks: transportation of child and (sometimes) the parent, note taking, and monitoring safety while families are together.
Do I need to have my own transportation?
What is the schedule like?
Where do I apply to become a parenting time staff member?
Priority Family Services will work in partnership with our community, making our youth a priority. Empowering our youth with nurturing foster families, to overcome obstacles through faith, love, and guidance without judgment.
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