Before accepting a placement, you'll typically receive information available at that time, including the child's age, basic needs, family circumstances, and any known medical, educational, or behavioral concerns. While not every detail may be known initially, Compass will help you make informed decisions about placements.

No. You do not need to own your home to become a foster parent.  ​ Families who rent, live in apartments, or own their homes may all be eligible to foster, providing their home meets state licensing and safety requirements.

In Nebraska, foster parents must be at least 21 years old. If you're unsure whether you qualify, we'd love to have a conversation

Yes. During the licensing process, you'll discuss your family's strengths, preferences, and comfort level. This includes factors such as: - Age range - Gender - Number of children - Special needs or medical needs Compass wants placements to be successful for both children and families. Your preferences can be updated at any time - as seasons of life change.

Possibly. Foster care is centered on helping families heal and reunify whenever safely possible. Depending on the circumstances, foster parents may support visitation, communicate with biological families, or participate in meetings. Compass provides guidance and support throughout this process.

Foster parents receive a monthly reimbursement to help cover the costs associated with caring for a child. Foster care is not intended to be a source of income. The reimbursement is designed to help offset expenses related to the child's daily care and needs.

No. Foster care is a temporary arrangement designed to provide safety and stability while families work toward reunification or another permanent plan. Adoption is a permanent legal relationship between a child and family.

Reunification occurs when child welfare professionals and the court determine that it is safe for a child to return home. Throughout a placement, biological parents may participate in supervised parenting time, counseling, treatment programs, parenting education, or other supports designed to strengthen the family. Compass believes children and families deserve opportunities for healing, restoration, and stability whenever safely possible.

Compass is a Christ-centered nonprofit organization, and our mission is rooted in serving children and families with compassion, dignity, and hope. While many of our foster families are motivated by their faith, we welcome conversations with individuals and families from a variety of backgrounds who are committed to providing safe, nurturing, and supportive homes for children in foster care. If you're interested in learning more about fostering through Compass, we'd love to connect with you and answer your questions.

Every child is unique, regardless of age. While some teens may have experienced trauma, loss, or instability, those experiences do not define them. Teens need caring adults who provide consistency, encouragement, healthy boundaries, and support as they navigate adolescence. The reality is that teenagers are among the greatest needs in foster care and are often the most overlooked. Compass provides training, guidance, and ongoing support to help families feel prepared and confident. Many foster parents find that caring for teens becomes one of the most rewarding experiences of their fostering journey. Our team would be happy to talk with you, answer your questions, and help you determine whether foster care is the right fit for your family. Sometimes the first step is simply having a conversation.

The licensing process typically takes 3 months, though timelines vary depending on training schedules, paperwork completion, background checks, and home study requirements.  ​ Our team works closely with families throughout the process to help answer questions, keep things moving, and ensure you feel prepared before welcoming a child into your home.

Absolutely! Many successful foster parents are single adults. What matters most is your ability to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for a child.

Yes. Many foster parents work full-time while caring for children in foster care. Every family's situation is different, and our team can help you think through schedules, childcare, school transportation, appointments, and support systems. You do not need to be a stay-at-home parent to make a difference in a child's life.

Children entering foster care have often experienced trauma, loss, uncertainty, or significant life disruptions. As a result, children may experience: - Anxiety - Difficulty trusting adults - Emotional outbursts - Grief and loss - Academic struggles - Behavioral challenges It's important to remember that behaviors often communicate unmet needs or past experiences. Compass uses a trauma-informed approach and provides training, support, and resources to help families understand and respond effectively.

Yes! Once you become a foster parent, you will be paired with a Foster Care Specialist based off your location and needs. Our staff are available to provide guidance, answer questions, help connect you with resources when needs arise. *Our foster care team are available 24/7 and have rotating on-call staff on the weekends.

Sometimes. The primary goal of foster care is reunification whenever it is safe and possible. However, when reunification cannot occur and parental rights are terminated, some foster families may have the opportunity to adopt.

Many foster families have biological, adopted, or other children living in their homes. During the licensing process, we'll discuss your family's dynamics and help determine what types of placements may be a good fit for everyone involved.

Many foster parents begin by simply exploring the idea and asking questions. You don't need to have everything figured out before contacting Compass. Our team would be happy to talk with you, answer your questions, and help you determine whether foster care is the right fit for your family. Sometimes the first step is simply having a conversation.

You do not need to have parenting experience to become a foster parent. Many successful foster parents come from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. Compass provides training, resources, and ongoing support to help you feel equipped and confident as you care for children in foster care.

It's natural to form strong connections with the children in your care. In fact, those connections are often part of the healing process. Children in foster care deserve to be deeply cared for, valued, and loved during their time with your family. While saying goodbye can be difficult, your willingness to open your heart is one of the greatest gifts you can offer a child who may have experienced loss, uncertainty, or instability. The goal of foster care is often reunification, and when a child is able to safely return home, it can be both a joyful and emotional experience. Many foster parents find comfort in knowing they provided stability, belonging, and unconditional care during a critical season of a child's life. Even if a child is only with your family for a short time, the love, support, and memories you shared can have a lasting impact. The attachment you build isn't something to fear - it's often exactly what a child needs to experience healing and hope.