Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) is a multi-service human care organization with more than 30 locations across Nebraska, plus Council Bluffs and Wichita.

Impacting over 35,000 individuals annually, our mission is to provide human care services that build and strengthen individual, family and community life. Services–ranging from prevention to intensive treatment–are as diverse as the people we serve. LFS’ programs and services are available to everyone regardless of age, race, religion or income. Nearly 90% of the people we serve are not Lutheran.

The work of LFS is supported by caring members of our community whose contributions help make services available for those unable to pay. In fact, 85% of all donations go directly to client services.

One focus of LFS is foster care.  Every year, hundreds of Nebraska children are removed from their families because of neglect and abuse. While these families heal, their children need a safe, loving, home-like atmosphere with minimal judgment and abundant patience.

A Team Approach

Foster parents have the most direct contact with the child; they are central to the planning team, which also consists of:

• LFS foster care staff;

• A Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services case manager;

• The biological parents; and

• Teachers, therapists, counselors and other professionals involved with the family.

The team works together in the child’s best interests:

A therapist provides the foster child´s treatment.

The foster parent initiates visits with the child’s biological family, insures visits occur, and may assist with supervising desired behavior changes.

Foster parents can mentor the biological parents.

The biological parents and child reunite after meeting certain criteria—if this is not possible, a guardian or someone willing to adopt a foster child is identified.

LFS provides emergency care for children in crisis, general foster care, plus specialized care for those experiencing emotional and behavioral problems.  The need for loving foster families is immediate and on-going, especially for older children.

If you would like to learn more about foster parenting through Lutheran Family Services, please call Children Services at 1-800-267-9876 or visit Lutheran Family Services at LFSneb.org