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Supporting At-Risk Youth as a Foster Care Specialist

Megan Jacob

Megan Jacob, Foster Care Specialist

Megan Jacob is a Foster Care Specialist with KVC Nebraska in our Omaha office. She loves serving children and families and finds it motivating to know that she is a positive influence in their lives. She finds it rewarding to give a voice to Nebraska’s most vulnerable population as well as being an advocate for them.

Nebraska Foster Care

On any given day, more than 3,000 children and teens are in the Nebraska foster care system. Many of these youth have experienced abuse, neglect, or other family challenges and have been removed from their homes by the courts for their safety. Relatives, non-related kin and foster families provide care and support for these youth while they are in out-of-home care.

Foster care is a safe place that gives youth and their birth family an opportunity to resolve conflicts or disruptions and learn healthy skills so the youth can safely return home. Many birth families need help learning effective parenting skills, overcoming substance use or learning healthy ways to cope with the trauma they themselves have experienced.

Learn more about how you can become a foster parent in Nebraska.

Read our Q&A with Megan below to learn why she loves being a Foster Care Specialist and helping kids find loving and supportive foster families.

Q: Can you describe a proud working moment when you’ve helped an at-risk youth succeed?

I have been working with an at-risk youth who is on probation and one of his goals is to graduate from high school and get off of probation. Since February, the youth has made great strides academically and is working toward his sobriety. As a result of these successes, support from his foster family, and his willingness to collaborate with case professionals, at his next court date in June they will determine if he is able to discharge from probation and reunify with his family.

Q: What made you choose to work in this field?

I have always had a passion for working with children. When I started in social work, I was a visitation worker and having small interactions with foster parents led me to realize that I wanted to work more with the foster parents too. I get to help children in foster care find loving homes that will support them until they are able to reunite with their parents, and I provide resources and support to help foster parents give that love.

Q: What is your advice for foster parents or people considering becoming foster parents?

Trust the process. The system can be frustrating at times, but there are lots of good people working hard to advocate for the children in your home. If you engage and build relationships with the children and their case team, it really can make a difference for that child.   

Q: What is it like for you to work at KVC?

KVC is a wonderful company to work for. I feel supported and driven to do the best I can every day. My coworkers encourage me and are more than willing to step in and help or are there to listen when I need to talk it out. I feel very blessed to work for a company that is pushing me to be the best foster care specialist I can be.

Interested in helping at-risk youth in Nebraska and supporting families? Visit our Careers page!

Join the KVC Health Systems team at www.kvc.org/careers