CEDARS: Where did you grow up? What was it like?
Brittany: I grew up in Gibbon, Nebraska—a small town located about 15 minutes east of Kearney. I lived in a cul-de-sac where we played kickball, baseball, night tag, basketball, and often had slip ‘n slides in our backyards throughout the summer time. I was always outside playing with the neighbor kids. I was the youngest of my family and have two older sisters whom I greatly admire.

CEDARS: How long have you worked at CEDARS?
Brittany: I enjoyed working for CEDARS from 2009 to 2011, and I was so excited to come back to CEDARS in 2013 as part of the foster care team.

CEDARS: What is your typical day like at CEDARS?
Brittany: No day is the same here in the Foster Care program…my day consists of guiding and supporting families to meet state licensing requirements, so they can welcome foster children into their homes. I work with both licensed foster homes and kinship homes—where the child is known to the family already—by meeting their needs on a day-to-day basis. We have a hardworking team that is out and about in the community supporting our foster homes which include home visits, team meetings, court appearances, transporting youth, and attending licensing home visits.

CEDARS: What is your favorite part about your job?
Brittany: One of the perks of supporting families in the licensing process is the privilege of being the first person to call and tell them that they are now officially licensed and are able to open their home to children in need. I also enjoy working with children and being able to see the children grow and thrive in our foster homes. When we have the opportunity to move a child into adoption, that day is always one of my favorite times—being able to be a part of the family’s special day.

CEDARS: What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
Brittany: I enjoy going back home to spend time with my family, especially my two nieces. I also look forward to taking trips to Houston, Texas, to visit my sister, her husband and my nephew. In my spare time I like to go running, spend time with friends, go to sporting events or concerts and go on a shopping spree here and there.

CEDARS: Is there one particular client that you feel was significantly impacted at CEDARS?
Brittany: I am deeply moved by one specific kinship foster mom who cared for her nephews. She had so many questions regarding foster care and how to move forward with adoption as she wanted to be able to provide the children with the best care as they grew up in her home. I was able to work with her to answer all of her questions. I also worked with the caseworker as we worked to ensure that the foster mom felt ready to provide the children with a permanent home. It was great to see the children so happy and growing in a loving, safe and healthy home.