At Christian Heritage, we believe children need safe, loving homes, and we also believe families should be together. Foster care is designed to provide temporary care for children while families receive support and work toward a healthier future whenever possible.
So what actually happens when a child enters foster care?
1. A concern is reported
The foster care process begins when someone reports concerns about a child’s safety to the Nebraska Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline. This may come from a teacher, healthcare provider, law enforcement officer, family member, neighbor, or another person who notices something that may indicate abuse or neglect.
In Nebraska, every adult is considered a mandated reporter if they suspect a child has suffered abuse or neglect.
A report does not automatically mean a child will enter foster care. Many reports are assessed, and families may receive resources and support without a child ever being removed from their home.
2. An investigation takes place
When a report meets the requirements for further review, child welfare professionals investigate the situation.
The goal of an investigation is to understand what is happening, assess the child’s safety, and determine what support the family may need.
Child welfare workers consider many factors, including:
- The child’s immediate safety
- The family’s circumstances
- The concerns that were reported
- Available resources and support systems
Whenever possible, the goal is to keep children safely with their families. Some families may benefit from preservation services like our Families Together program to provide them the resources and relationships they need to stay together.
3. A child may be removed from their home (as necessary)
Removal is one of the most serious decisions made in child welfare. It happens when professionals determine that a child cannot safely remain at home and immediate protection is needed.
When removal occurs, the goal is not to punish parents or permanently separate families. The goal is to protect a child while creating an opportunity for the family to address the challenges that led to the crisis.
4. A child is placed with a foster family
After entering foster care, a child is placed with a licensed foster family or another approved placement.
Foster parents provide:
- A safe and stable home
- Daily care and encouragement
- Emotional support during a difficult transition
- A connection to normal childhood experiences
Foster families play an important role by standing in the gap during a season of uncertainty.
5. The court process begins
Because foster care involves the safety and future of a child, the legal system is involved.
A judge reviews the circumstances and helps determine what needs to happen next. The court process includes:
- Reviewing the child’s safety
- Creating goals for the family
- Monitoring progress
- Determining the next steps toward permanency
Parents are typically given opportunities and services designed to address the concerns that led to foster care.
6. The goal is reunification whenever possible
The primary goal of foster care is usually reunification—helping children safely return home to their parents.
During this time, parents may work on areas such as:
- Parenting skills
- Substance use recovery
- Mental health support
- Housing stability
- Creating a safe environment for their children
Foster parents often support reunification by caring for children while also respecting and encouraging their relationship with their birth families.
7. A permanency plan is created
If reunification is not possible, another permanent plan is considered. This may include options such as adoption, guardianship, or placement with relatives.
The goal is always the same: for every child to have a safe, stable, and loving place to call home.
Foster care is more than a system—it’s a community
Children and families involved in foster care need more than a government process. They need people who care.
Foster parents, biological families, churches, volunteers, and community partners all have a role in helping children experience safety, stability, and hope.
At Christian Heritage, we walk alongside children, foster families, and parents throughout the foster care journey. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to flourish, and every family deserves compassion and support.
Learn more about foster care in Nebraska
Whether you are considering becoming a foster parent, supporting foster families, or simply wanting to understand how foster care works, you can be part of changing the future for vulnerable children and families. Contact us today to start your foster care journey!
