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Nebraska Statistics

Nebraska has one of the highest rates in the nation for children placed in out-of-home care, at 19 per 1,000.

The following statistics are from the Department of Health and Human Services' Nebraska Family Online Client User System (N-FOCUS). This information reflects the number of youth in state custody throughout Calendar Year 2009. Some of the data is a point-in-time "snapshot" of information as of December 31, 2009.

On December 31, 2009, there were 6,245 children in state custody.

* 24.7% were age 0 to 5 years
* 16.4% were 6 to 10 years
* 21.9% were 11 to 15 years
* 36.9% were 16 to 19 years

If these statistics stir your heart and you want to get involved, respond now and someone from Christian Heritage will be in touch with you.

A brief description of how it is determined a child needs to be in foster care.

The following is a simplified version of the steps in a child’s case.

1. A medical professional, educator, neighbor, family member or other person makes a report of child abuse or neglect. This call can go to law enforcement or to DHHS-CPS. Reports of abuse or neglect received by law enforcement or DHHS are to be cross-reported to each other.

2. A decision is made whether or not to investigate the report.

3. Either law enforcement or CPS may be involved in the investigation; however, only law enforcement may remove a child from his/her parent’s custody unless a petition is requested or DHHS already has custody.

4. The County Attorney files a petition with the Court detailing the allegations. The Court makes a ruling whether the evidence supports the Court’s jurisdiction over the child and the parents, and whether the child shall be placed out of the home.

5. DHHS develops the permanency plan for the child and presents it to the Court. If there are no objections to the permanency plan, it is court ordered.

6. DHHS provides services to children and their families as specified in the court-ordered permanency plan.

7. Court hearings are held at predetermined intervals as required by law.

8. If the evidence shows parental compliance with the goals of the permanency plan, then reunification may continue to be pursued as a goal, and the child returned to the parents.

9. If there is no compliance, or compliance is substantially inadequate, either the state or the child’s guardian ad litem may file a petition with the Court requesting that the parents' rights be terminated. The Court decides this issue at a hearing at which the parents, their lawyers, the child’s guardian ad litem and the county attorney are present. If the Court terminates rights, and if no appeal is taken, or if the appeal is denied, then the child may be placed for adoption. Adoption is finalized by a ruling by the Court.

Statistics are from the FCRB’s tracking system unless otherwise noted. Nebraska Foster Care Review Board 2008 Annual Report