Foster Parent Training
& CEU Resources

Access training information, continuing education resources, certification requirements, and upcoming learning opportunities for foster parents and providers across Nebraska.

Understanding Training Requirements

Training and continuing education help foster parents build the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to safely support children and youth in care. Nebraska foster parents are required to complete ongoing training throughout their licensing period to maintain compliance and prepare for the evolving needs of the children placed in their home.
Your foster parent license is valid for two years. During that time, foster parents are required to complete annual continuing education hours, along with any additional training tied to a youth’s level of care or placement needs.

  • Required before becoming a licensed foster parent. These trainings provide foundational knowledge related to trauma, child welfare, behavior support, communication, and caregiving expectations. Visit this page to learn more: New Foster Parent Training Requirements

  • Once licensed, foster parents are required to complete:

    • 12 Renewal CEU hours each year

    • 24 total Renewal CEUs during the two-year licensing period

    Renewal CEUs help foster parents strengthen practical caregiving skills, stay informed on best practices, and remain compliant with state licensing expectations.

    Important Reminders

    • CEUs do not roll over from year to year

    • At least 12 hours must be completed annually

    • Falling behind on required CEUs may result in a performance improvement plan and potential financial penalties

  • During the first renewal year, we strongly recommend the following trainings to help foster parents feel more prepared, confident, and supported in everyday situations.

    CPR & First Aid (6 Hours)
    This training helps foster parents respond quickly and calmly during medical emergencies and unexpected situations involving children and youth in care.

    MANDT Training (8 Hours)
    MANDT focuses on trauma-informed de-escalation, relationship building, and safely responding when emotions or behaviors escalate. This training is not about expecting difficult behaviors — it is about feeling equipped to support youth safely and effectively during stressful moments.

    Medication Aide (2 Hours)
    Medication Aide training prepares foster parents to safely administer and document routine or short-term medications for children in their care.

    Additional Note
    While some of these recommendations go beyond minimum state requirements, these trainings are strongly encouraged because they help foster parents:

    • feel more confident in high-stress situations

    • safely support a wider range of youth

    • better respond to behavioral or medical needs

    • prepare for unexpected situations in the home

  • During the second renewal year, foster parents are required to complete the following trainings, along with any remaining CEU hours needed to reach the annual 12-hour requirement.

    Required Trainings

    • Reasonable & Prudent Parent Standard (RPPS)

    • Human Trafficking

    • Sexual Trauma

    • Suicide Prevention

    • Car Seat Safety Training

    • MANDT Recertification (if applicable)

    • Additional Renewal CEUs as needed

  • Some youth may require a higher level of care due to behavioral, emotional, medical, or supervision needs. Foster parents who accept these placements are required to complete additional High Level CEUs.

    Important Information

    • High Level CEUs are separate from Renewal CEUs

    • Renewal CEUs do not count toward High Level CEU requirements

    • High Level CEUs must be completed within 60 days of placement

    • Additional hours are required each year the youth remains in the home

    • High Level CEUs cannot be reused for multiple youth placements

    • See the hour requirements below:

      • Tier 4 (Intensive Plus): 5 additional hours

      • Tier 5 (Specialized Level of Care): 10 additional hours

      • SRE & LOA: MANDT, Medication Aid, and CPR

  • Certain placements or provider levels may require additional certifications to ensure foster parents are equipped to safely support youth with more intensive needs.

    These certifications may include:

    • MANDT

    • Medication Aide

    • CPR & First Aid

    Maintaining active certifications may impact placement eligibility and provider level approval.

View Upcoming Trainings

View upcoming classes, CEU opportunities, certification renewals, and community trainings.
Events Calendar

Training Resources

Access approved training resources and continuing education opportunities available to foster parents and providers.

SUBMIT YOUR
TRAINING CERTIFICATES

Completed outside training or online CEUs? Submit your certificates to ensure your training hours are properly documented and applied toward licensing compliance.
  • Use the form below to submit your training certificates. 
  • Submit only one certificate at a time. 
  • For trainings without a certificate (for example: online webinars, books, videos, therapy services), you must submit a valid learning summary. Click here to complete the learning summary.

Questions About Training Requirements?

Our team is here to help with training requirements, certifications, continuing education, and upcoming learning opportunities.

Contact Our Team