RentWise
Housing stability is critical for young people transitioning to adulthood and seeking independence. This starts with finding and maintaining suitable, safe rental housing that meets their needs. Nebraska RentWise is a tenant education program meant to help renters be successful by increasing their awareness of community resources and teaching them effective strategies for finding quality, affordable rental housing. The RentWise curriculum, combined with Central Plains Coaching services, takes an active-learning approach and emphasizes tenant responsibility. Participants earn a certificate upon completing the curriculum, which is recognized by landlords and property managers.
Central Plains offers the 6-hour Rentwise course in various areas of Nebraska and currently has 2 Rentwise trainers on staff. Rentwise includes the following six modules:
- Communication with Landlords and Neighbors
- Managing your Money
- Finding a Place to Call Home
- Getting Through the Rental Process
- Taking Care of Your Home
- When you Move Out.
Providing in-house Rentwise classes to our youth has proven to be effective for both the youth and landlords. This initiative can lead to more stable housing, directly impacting the youth's ability to set and achieve independent living goals. Therefore, Rentwise is a valuable addition to the collection of resources and tools that Central Plains makes available to the youth and young adults it supports.
Classes are available in Lincoln and other parts of the state. To learn about class availability, please contact Sara Drueke at sdrueke@central-plains.org.
Driver's Education for Foster Youth
Central Plains covers the cost of driver’s education classes for eligible youth and young adults with foster care experience. Youth must have been in foster care at least one day after the age of 13 and cannot have yet reached their 23rd birthday. A youth does NOT need to be in one of our other services to utilize this program. Simply fill out the form to the right by identifying the driver's education course in the area you plan to attend, including the cost, location, date, and time(s). Youth MUST already have their learner's permit to utilize these funds and have a plan to get to and from the classes.
If you have recently paid for driver's education and have a receipt, we may be able to reimburse you for the course cost. If you are a minor, we request a guardian submit this on your behalf.
If you have any questions about this program, please reach out to Felipe Longoria-Shinn at 308-212-2130 or flongoria@central-plains.org.
Virtual Parenting Classes - Love & Logic and Circle of Security
Central Plains has on staff a certified trainer in Love and Logic™ and Circle of Security™, both of which are evidence-based parenting curriculums aimed at building strong and healthy attachments between parent and child. Central Plains will continue offering Love & Logic and Circle of Security to parenting CYI participants statewide. We offer these via Zoom or in-person to young adults who are pregnant and/or parenting and participating in Central Plains coaching.
For more information, please contact Deena Gibson at dgibson@central-plains.org.
