State of Nebraska Foster Care Statistics

Of the seventeen agencies in Nebraska who provide foster care services, Christian Heritage is fourth in terms of youth served.

Last year Christian Heritage foster care served 200 children.

In 2006 Nebraska had more children who were state wards than ever before--over 7,800.

Nearly half of the children in Nebraska's child welfare system have spent 15 or more of the last 22 months in state care - a violation of both state and federal standards for either returning children to their families or finding them another permanent home.

On June 21 of 2006 there were more than 1,455 children younger then five living outside the their homes and in the custody of the state.

Concerning 2005 statistics:

At the end of the year there were 6,204 children in foster care in Nebraska.

1,643 of those children had been in foster care for two years or more.

Nearly 2,000 of these children had been moved to six or more foster placements.

Over 2,200 of these children have had four or more caseworkers on their cases.

Of the 6,204 children in care, 2,275 were in Douglas county and 1,019 were in Lancaster county.

In terms of age, the highest range was kids ages 13 to 18, with 3,247 youth in care.

There were more boys in care than girls.

According to the Child Welfare League of America Nebraska has one of the highest rates in the nation for children placed in out of home care, with 13.8 per 1,000 in 2003.

So, what does all this information mean? The need for safe, caring foster homes is SIGNIFICANT! Without people willing to open their homes to care for these children, the need will continue to be overwhelming. If this information has moved your heart to consider becoming a foster parent visit the I am Interested! What's Next? page on our site.