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For a child, belief starts small.

With a community. A family. 

Someone to believe in them, growing their trust in the world. 

But when adversity or trauma forces them to grow up too soon, they begin to lose that sense of belief. 

They come to know a world where safety and stability are conditional.  

At CEDARS, we show them it doesn’t have to be that way. 

Since 1947, we’ve been here. 

Choosing not to ignore challenges. Adapting to fit the need. 

Helping rebuild trust in relationships. And finding solutions for kids and families, no matter the circumstances. 

It’s the driving force behind everything we do. 

Because we believe in them. 

Unconditionally.  


If you are experiencing an immediate crisis situation, call the National Crisis Hotline at 800-448-3000.



Homes Needed for Children

Sadly, too many children are waiting for a safe and loving home because there aren’t enough trained foster parents in Nebraska.

Kids come into foster care for a variety of reasons. Ultimately, CEDARS goal is to either safely reunite children with their families or find a permanent home for them. Until these goals can be achieved, foster families give kids stability and room to grow as individuals.

With offices in Lincoln and Bellevue, we have been serving children and families for over 70 years. The CEDARS Foster Care team works every day to ensure that over 200 foster children and youth flourish in loving families. Because foster parents are an integral part of the CEDARS professional team, they are equipped with exceptional training, have access to support 24/7, monthly support groups and quarterly gatherings for foster families.

“These kids really just want someone who’s going to open their home to them, get to know a little bit about them, and give them love,” says Cassie Rosenthal, with CEDARS Foster Care team. “Foster care is the situation that these kids are in, but it doesn’t define who they are. They have the same excitement, hope and pride that other children have.”

CEDARS staff walk alongside children and families every step of the way. With encouragement, guidance and direction, the team has the honor of watching lives change.

“I hear it so often from foster parents,” Rosenthal says, “that fostering is the best thing that happened to them.”

It is important to know that there is no typical CEDARS foster family. CEDARS foster families include parents with children at home, single adults, couples hoping to adopt and empty nesters. To help, all you need is a stable home, an open heart and a willingness to reach out to a child in need.

Learn more about how to become a foster parent or request more information by filling out our foster parent information request form.