Foster Care Review Office

06/01/2026

June is , a time to recognize the importance of keeping families connected whenever safely possible. 💛

In Nebraska and across the country, fewer children are returning home from foster care, while more youth are aging out of care without permanent family connections.

Our annual report highlights the need for stronger support systems that help families heal, stabilize, and reunify safely. Removing barriers to reunification can help create better outcomes for children across Nebraska.

05/28/2026

Our March quarterly report showed of the children placed in family-like settings (not including trial home visits), 53.3% were in a relative or kinship placement.

📈 More than half of youth in family-like settings are placed with relatives or kin, which research consistently shows can improve stability and well-being. Continued support for kinship caregivers is essential to sustaining these placements. 📣

Read the full report to learn more: https://tinyurl.com/FCROReportMar26

05/27/2026

We often reflect on our collective "why" and invite our volunteer review board members to share the impact of their important work.

📣 Our latest prompt: Why do you believe it’s important to hold the child welfare system accountable, and how does the FCRO and its volunteer review board members contribute to that?

Here’s today’s response.

👉We're seeking a diverse pool of Nebraskans from all walks of life who have a vested interest in child and family wellbeing to join our volunteer review boards.

Fill out this quick form for more info! https://tinyurl.com/JoinFCROBoard

05/26/2026

It's National , and today we're spotlighting the role of stability and foster parent recruitment.

Frequent placement changes can disrupt education, relationships, and emotional well-being. That’s why recruiting and supporting foster families is critical, especially those equipped to care for youth with higher needs.

“A home for every child” depends on individuals willing to step forward. Could that be you? Learn more: NFAPA.org

05/25/2026

Today is National Missing Children's Day. Every child deserves to be safe and accounted for.

As of 12/31/25, 41 children and youth were missing from care in Nebraska:
📣 DHHS/CFS wards
📣 dually involved youth
📣 15 Probation-only youth
📣 1 youth involved with both DHHS/OJS and Probation

Each number represents a real local child and a need for continued attention, coordination, and action. Through case review and oversight, FCRO continues to monitor and elevate this issue.

05/24/2026

Our office will be closed tomorrow in observance of Memorial Day.

We honor this time as an opportunity to reflect, recognize, and connect with our communities.

05/22/2026

It's time for an FCRO Spotlight! Today we are excited to highlight volunteer review board member Monica Brown.

Q) How long have you been a volunteer?
⭐A) 33 years. I've had about 5 different System Oversight Specialists in that time, most with Ben Gray.

Q) What are your personal hobbies?
⭐A) Volunteering, grandma time, and sudoku.

Q) What is your all time favorite music?
⭐A) I like jazz music. Boz Scaggs was my favorite back in the day.

Q) Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
⭐A) I'm the second of ten kids. I have 3 kids and 6 grandkids.

Q) Why do you feel the FCRO's mission is important?
⭐A) Our advocacy for children in care can help them get needed services to support the kids and their families in resolving challenges, and working towards reunification or an alternative future plan, to bring them brighter days and achievement of their goals.

Q) What do you consider your greatest accomplishment or what is the most rewarding part of your work?
⭐A) It is rewarding to know that our work makes a difference in children's lives. My greatest accomplishment is 33 years on the board!

05/21/2026

Our March quarterly report showed there were differences in the average number of lifetime placements based on agency involvement. Dually involved youth and youth at a YRTC experienced substantially more placements.

📈 Frequent placement changes can disrupt relationships, education, and stability. The higher number of placements among dually involved youth and youth at YRTCs highlights the need for stronger placement stability strategies and cross-system collaboration to reduce movement and improve outcomes. 📣

Read the full report to learn more: https://tinyurl.com/FCROReportMar26

05/19/2026

It's National , and today we're spotlighting the importance of .

Children grow best with people they know and trust. Kinship care, or placement with relatives or close family friends, helps preserve relationships, identity, and connection during difficult transitions.

📊 Our reviews consistently show that maintaining these bonds can reduce trauma and improve outcomes.

“A home for every child” includes the families already in their lives. Learn more about supporting children through foster care: NFAPA.org

Relatives and friends are the most natural resources there are to help and support bio-parents and children in need of out-of-home care. Therefore, DHHS is required by law to find and contact relatives and other people with close connections to the family when a child enters state custody. Kinship &...