Thank you for your interest in our waiting children. The adoption and foster care process may take some time, but the rewards are well worth the effort. You will find there are many resources available to you, and we recommend that you become involved in as many ways with the foster/adopt community as you feel comfortable.
Licensing Requirements for Foster or Adoption
Both foster and adoptive parents must complete the 27-hour PRIDE training course. PRIDE stands for Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education. The PRIDE training course is a model for developing and supporting foster families and adoptive families. The main topics are:
- protecting and nurturing children;
- meeting children's developmental needs and addressing developmental delays;
- supporting relationships between children and their families;
- connecting children to safe, nurturing relationships intended to last a lifetime; and
- working as a member of a professional team.
Does it Cost to Foster or Adopt?
No.
Parent Support Groups
Central Service Area:
Hastings
Church of Christ
1131 N. Laird
Corner of 12th Street & Laird,
Behind Fellowship Hall
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Jan 3, Feb 7, Mar 6, Apr 3
Kearney
First United Methodist Church
4500 Linden Drive
Kearney, NE
Covered Dish Meal: 6:00 PM
Training: 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Jan 10, Feb 14, Mar 13, Apr 10
Grand Island
First United Methodist Church
4190 W. Capitol Ave.
Grand Island, NE
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Jan 15, Feb 19, Mar 18, Apr 15
York
First United Methodist Church
309 7th Street
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Jan 22, Feb 26, Mar 25, Apr 22
Questions? Contact:
Barb Nissen
(308) 379-5323
Eastern Service Area:
Omaha
Faith Covenant Church
8333 Fort Street
Omaha, NE
7:00-9:00 PM
Jan 14, Feb 11, Mar 10, Apr 14
Gretna
Support group starting soon.
Questions? Contact:
Deb Harris
(402) 657-0133
South Eastern Service Area:
Lincoln
NFAPA Office
315 South 9th Street, Suite 10
Lincoln, NE
6:00-8:00 PM
Feb 19: Working With Schools
Mar 18: ADHD,ADD & ODD
Apr 15: Teamwork
May 20: Network with other Families
Questions? Contact:
Pam Allen
(402) 476-2273
Western Service Area:
Gering
Christ the King Church
17th & N
Gering, NE
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Jan 15: What is NFAPA
Apr 15: FASD
Kimball-Sidney
Kimball Library
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Jan 17: What is NFAPA
Apr 17: FASD
Alliance
Alliance Public Library
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Jan 28: What is NFAPA
Apr 28: FASD
Questions? Contact:
Sue Ganitch
(308) 641-0624
South Western Area:
McCook
Country Kitchen
606 W B
McCook, NE
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Jan 21: ADD, ADHD, ODD
Group will decide how often to meet.
Questions? Contact:
Tracy Hixon
(308) 345-3030
Parent support groups facilitated/supported by DHHS staff:
Columbus: First Monday of each month unless it is a holiday and then it is the second Monday. Generally they meet at the DHHS office. Contact Maggie Fleming for further information (402) 564-1113, ext. 204.
Dakota City: Support group meetings are usually every 3rd Monday of the month, 7-9 pm. Contact Arlene Shockman for further information (402) 241-0032, ext. 120.
Fremont: Dates and locations vary, depending on who the speaker is and when they are available. Contact Judi Pedersen for further information (402) 727-3237.
Norfolk:Every other month the third Monday of the month 6:30-8:30pm. Contact Jennifer Buss for further information (402) 370-3150.
O'Neill and Ainsworth: Contact Patti Brady for further information (402) 887-4196.
Agency Contact and Orientation Information
To find an orientation and/or agency, please contact:
Pamela Allen, Executive Director
Nebraska Foster and Adoptive Parent Association
www.nfapa.org
315 South 9th Street, Suite 10
Lincoln, NE 68508
1-877-257-0176
nfaoa@alltel.net
Information on Children
There are 6,231 children in foster care in Nebraska; 913 of these children are waiting for adoptive families.