Nebraska Administrative Code › Topic - FOSTER CARE REVIEW OFFICE › Title 162 - Foster Care Review Office › Chapter 1 - Introduction › Section 162-1-003 - Operating Principles

Current through June 17, 2024
The Foster Care Review Office operates under the following
				  principles:
The safety of children is a priority.
									Every child in foster care needs a safe and nurturing
					 placement until he or she has a timely and appropriate permanency, whether
					 through return to a home where the conditions have changed, adoption,
					 guardianship, or another plan. Permanency should result in children being in a
					 safe, permanent home.
									Foster care is meant to be a temporary measure that
					 keeps children safe from harm or maltreatment. No child should have to live his
					 or her childhood in the insecurity of foster care.
									Children and families in crisis should be treated in
					 home as a family unit - if safe and possible. If treatment at home fails or is
					 not possible, then the child should be placed in the least restrictive, most
					 homelike setting possible that will meet the individual child's
					 needs.
									Children in foster care should be helped to heal from
					 the harmful effects of abuse and/or neglect on their lives.
									Each child in out-of-home care should have a permanency
					 plan including a description of the services to be provided, the length of time
					 necessary, and the person or persons responsible for implementation of the
					 plan.
									Reasonable efforts should be made to achieve permanency
					 in a timely manner.
									Each child placed in out-of-home care due to suspected
					 abuse or neglect should receive a physical examination within two weeks of
					 placement as required by statute.
									Each child involved in delinquent behavior should
					 receive services to reduce the probability of continued delinquent behaviors,
					 to hold the youth accountable for his or her behavior, to teach the youth how
					 to become a responsible citizen, and to increase safety for the youth, his or
					 her family, and the community.
									Court actions, including adjudication and reviews,
					 should be within required timeframes and meet statutory
					 requirements.
									Different rural and urban areas may have unique needs
					 that need to be acknowledged and reported upon.
									The Foster Care Review Office exists to advocate for
					 children on individual, family, and systemic levels.
									Collected data is to be shared with appropriate
					 stakeholders, policy makers, and the public to increase understanding and
					 measure changes.
									The Foster Care Review Office is a state agency and
					 therefore follows all applicable statutes, policies, and procedures.
									Foster Care Review Office employees, volunteer citizen
					 reviewers, and Advisory Committee members will adequately secure and protect
					 confidential materials from unauthorized access.
									All Foster Care Review Office employees and contractors
					 will avoid relationships and activities with individuals and/or organizations,
					 both personal and for compensation, which might trigger a charge of
					 professional conflict of interest.
									Foster Care Review Office employees will implement all
					 roles, relationships, and responsibilities of employment in a professional
					 manner. Likewise, volunteers will conduct themselves in a professional manner.
					 All persons are entitled to expect FCRO employees, volunteer citizen reviewers,
					 and Advisory Committee members to be honest, trustworthy and respectful, and to
					 take responsibility for upholding these standards of behavior.