Foster care service expands to Lincoln to bolster overwhelmed system

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – With foster care needs always present across Nebraska, one nonprofit is expanding to Lincoln.

Compass is a foster care service doing business in Kearney.

Ryan Stanton, the founder and CEO of Compass, said in any conversation about the foster care system, two words are always included.

“Not enough,” he said. “And we’re not satisfied with that.”

Compass helps to place children with families and continues to support those parents while they’re taking care of the kids.

“Not everybody is going to do the same thing, but everybody can do something,” Stanton said. “We kind of see it as an all-hands-on-deck approach to foster care.”

Stanton said there are over 500 kids in out-of-home or trial placement in Lancaster County.

Overall, there are 4,200 children in the state’s foster care system.

Stanton said Compass is already working with one Lincoln family despite only announcing its expansion on Tuesday.

The goal is to place children in a safe and loving environment until they are able to return to their family.

Kaitlynne Ellis, a foster parent with Compass, said she’s had a great experience.

“They’re always there when you need them,” she said. “Even if it’s late at night, you can shoot them a text or call them. They’re always there to help you through those hard times.”

Ellis said it’s a difficult role, but it’s important for the kids to have the support.

“You are making a difference, and seeing them grow every day,” she said.

Compass partners with local churches, organizations and individuals to build up a support system for the foster parents and children to lean on.

Stanton said Lincoln already has great resources for foster care, but again, it’s not enough.

So he wants Compass to be part of the solution.

“We want to provide more than enough so we can find the perfect fit for that kid,” Stanton said. “Not everybody is going to be a foster parent, not everybody is going to be an adoptive parent, but there is a part to play in helping kids.”