Family support services through Guardian Light are typically referred by DHHS or ordered by a court as part of a family's case plan. If you are a biological parent whose case plan includes Guardian Light services, your caseworker will coordinate the referral. If you are a referral source or judge, contact your nearest Guardian Light office directly to discuss service availability.

Yes. Guardian Light can coordinate multiple services for the same family under one agency. A family may receive supervised visitation, drug testing, and parenting classes simultaneously through GLFS, which simplifies coordination for DHHS, judges, and the family itself.

GLFS provides two types of supervised visitation: In-Home Supervised Visitation (IHSV), where a Guardian Light worker supervises visits in the family's home, and On-Site/Office-Based Supervised Visitation (OHSV), where visits take place at one of our visitation centers. The type ordered depends on the specifics of the court or DHHS arrangement.

Guardian Light provides a wide range of family support services including supervised visitation (in-home and on-site), drug testing, parenting classes, family preservation, and in-home therapy and skill building. We are Nebraska's largest family support agency and serve all 93 counties statewide.

Yes. Guardian Light operates statewide with offices in Scottsbluff, Sidney, North Platte, Kearney, Lincoln, and Omaha — and serves all 93 Nebraska counties. We regularly have openings in communities across the state, including rural areas. If you don't see an opening near you, we encourage you to apply and note your preferred region.

Requirements vary by role. Some positions — particularly therapist and skill builder roles — require relevant degrees or licensure. Other positions, including family support workers and visitation supervisors, may have different educational requirements. Each job posting on our careers page includes the specific qualifications needed.

Guardian Light offers a competitive benefits package including paid training, weekend pay differential, mileage reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), paid time off, paid holidays, referral bonuses, and MASA emergency air transport coverage.

Guardian Light hires for roles across all of our service areas — foster care specialists, family support workers, in-home therapists, skill builders, visitation supervisors, drug testing specialists, and administrative staff. We operate statewide, so openings exist across Nebraska from the Panhandle to the metro area.

The length of stay varies greatly depending on each child's unique situation. Some placements last a few days or weeks, while others may extend for months or even years. The goal is always to provide stability while working toward the best permanent outcome for the child, whether that's reunification, adoption, or another arrangement.

Yes! Many foster parents work full-time. You'll need to have appropriate childcare arrangements in place, just as you would for your own children. We can help you navigate childcare options and ensure you have the support needed to balance work and fostering.

Yes, foster parents receive a monthly reimbursement to help cover the costs of caring for a child. Rates vary based on the child's age and needs. Additionally, children in foster care are eligible for Medicaid coverage for medical, dental, and mental health services.

You'll never be alone in your fostering journey! Support includes a dedicated caseworker, 24/7 crisis line, respite care, support groups, ongoing training, and connection to our foster parent community. We're here to help you succeed and provide the best care for children.

We offer both in-person and online training options to accommodate different schedules and learning preferences. Many foster parents choose a hybrid approach, completing some modules online and attending in-person sessions for hands-on learning and connection with other prospective foster parents.

Nebraska requires 30 hours of pre-service training called PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education). This training covers child development, trauma-informed care, discipline strategies, working with birth families, and more. We also provide ongoing training throughout your fostering journey.

Foster parents must be at least 21 years old. There is no maximum age limit—what matters most is your ability to provide a safe, stable home and keep up with the physical and emotional demands of caring for children.

No, homeownership is not required. Both homeowners and renters can become foster parents. Your home simply needs to meet safety standards and have adequate space for a child, including a separate sleeping area.

Yes! Single individuals can absolutely become licensed foster parents. We welcome applications from single adults, married couples, and domestic partners who meet our requirements and are committed to caring for children.

The licensing process typically takes 3-6 months from your initial application to approval. This includes completing required training, home study visits, background checks, and paperwork. We work at your pace to ensure you feel prepared.

Getting started is easy! Simply contact one of our Nebraska offices or fill out our online application. We'll schedule an initial meeting to discuss the process, answer your questions, and help you understand what to expect.

Foster care provides temporary care for children who cannot safely live with their birth families. Foster parents open their homes and hearts to provide a safe, nurturing environment while the child's family works toward reunification or another permanent solution is found.