In 2013, Nebraska enacted a statute that calls for new foster family licensing requirements that ensure children’s safety but minimize use of licensing mandates for non-safety issues. The statute requires that licensing rules provide alternatives for non-safety issues regarding housing. The legislation also requires the department to provide assistance to families in overcoming licensing barriers, especially in child-specific relative and kinship placements.

Nebraska’s goal is to place 75 percent of children with relatives and that 65 percent will be placed within their school districts.