Program areas at NCHS
Foster care. As a licensed child placing agency, Nebraska Children's Home Society recruits, trains and supports foster parents who open their homes to children who need specialized care. Most children in care have been abused or neglected in their biological homes and many are medically fragile or have serious health related needs. Permanency is a primary focus of the foster care program. Through a circle of care component, in-home services provide resources, support and skill building for biological parents so that children can return Home if possible. When relatives are able to care for the children, support is provided to kinship homes. When adoption is the plan, foster parents or relatives are the first choice for a permanent Home and professional staff work with children and relative/foster families to achieve that goal. For other children, a family finding approach identifies prospective adoptive homes and guides children and families down the road to permanency.
Pregnancy, parenting and adoption. Nebraska Children's Home Society reaches out to individuals experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and provides free, confidential support and education to assist them in developing either a parenting or adoption plan. When parenting is the plan, staff provides support, education and assistance in locating needed resources. When adoption is the plan, services focus on adoption as a life long process and provide ongoing education and support for birth parents, adoptive parents and the child. There is never any charge for pregnancy or adoption services. Post adoption services provide counseling, education and support to members of the adoption circle, as well as search services to assist adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents to establish connections with others in the adoption circle.
Children and family center. The Nebraska Children's Home children and family center (cfc) is a neighborhood based resource for families with children in an area where families face numerous challenges including poverty, low school graduation rates, violence and lack of services. With a focus on families with young children and teens, the cfc provides an array of services to improve the capacity of children to enjoy productive and fulfilling lives by strengthening, supporting and preserving families. Programs for parents focus on preparation for parenthood and provide support and skill training for parents or relatives as caretakers. Teen programs provide small group settings that focus on mentoring, coaching and teaching life skills with outcomes that include personal goal setting, positive decision making, healthy relationships and pregnancy prevention. A community garden is a healthy resource for the neighborhood.
Early childhood centers. In recognition of the importance of the early years of child's development as a foundation for later success in school and life, the early childhood centers' focus is on developing Children's cognitive, physical, social and behavioral skills. The centers provide a secure and caring environment for children while parents are at work or attend school. The evidence-based creative curriculum provides a framework for staff to nurture and promote the individual growth and learning of infants, toddlers and preschoolers with an emphasis on parental involvement.