Foster Care Specialist

Brightpoint•Rockford, IL

4d•$54,361 - $59,361•Hybrid

About The Position

Brightpoint is a human services organization focused on advancing children’s well-being by investing in families and strengthening communities through data-informed, collaborative, and preventative solutions. The Foster Care Specialist is a member of the region’s child welfare team, working across programs to support child safety and family well-being. The role provides comprehensive, trauma-informed case management to a reduced caseload of families involved in the child welfare system and supplemental services to families assigned to Advanced and Lead Specialists. The specialist works with families following an indicated report of abuse or neglect toward safe reunification or an alternative permanency plan. With support from a supervisor and Lead Specialist, the employee can develop competencies for promotion to Advanced Specialist within 6–12 months of hire. This is a full-time, salaried hybrid position. Work is generally during business hours, with flexibility needed to accommodate clients’ schedules and special projects, and shared on-call responsibilities. Most work takes place in Winnebago, Boone, and surrounding counties through home visits and meetings with clients at agency offices or in community settings. Documentation and case coordination may also be completed from the employee’s preferred location, either in-office or remotely. Compensation is a fixed annual salary of $54,361, or $59,361 for qualified English/Spanish bilingual candidates. A $3,000 CWEL stay bonus is payable in two installments after 6 and 12 months of consecutive employment, contingent on the role requiring CWEL certification. Promotion to Advanced Specialist within 6–12 months is available and includes a salary increase. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; more than three weeks of paid time off in the first year, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, with PTO increasing with tenure; 11 paid holidays; supplemental insurance options; and a 401(k) with employer match. Employees also have access to leadership development and one-on-one mentorship. Brightpoint is an approved agency for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a closely related field.
Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL), Child Endangerment Risk Assessment Protocol (CERAP), and Child Abuse and Neglect (CANS) certification, or ability to obtain them within 90 days of hire.
Ability to attend in-person meetings and events as needed.
Valid driver’s license, insurance, and a reliable vehicle.
Flexibility to accommodate client schedules and special projects, and participation in a shared on-call rotation.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing collaborative, strength-based services to children and families.
Qualified English/Spanish bilingual candidates are eligible for the higher stated salary.

Responsibilities

Manage a reduced caseload of families whose children are in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) following an indicated investigation of abuse or neglect.
Partner with families to assess strengths, needs, and natural support systems.
Collaborate with families and support networks to develop solutions that promote reunification, permanency, or ongoing family connections.
Provide consistent family engagement, including needs assessments, service planning, coordination, child safety monitoring, resource referrals, and progress tracking.
Participate in required meetings with agencies, community providers, and other systems to support family goals.
Prepare and present court reports, attend hearings, and testify on behalf of the child’s and family’s best interests.
Plan scheduled and unannounced home visits in alignment with best practices and policy.
Address safety concerns and report suspected abuse or neglect to DCFS in compliance with the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.
Maintain accurate documentation, records, and billing in accordance with program requirements.
Provide supplemental services to families assigned to Advanced and Lead Specialists.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
More than three weeks of paid time off in the first year, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day; PTO increases with tenure
11 paid holidays
Supplemental insurance options
401(k) with employer match
$3,000 CWEL stay bonus, payable in two installments after 6 and 12 months of consecutive employment, contingent on CWEL certification being required for the role
Opportunity for promotion to Advanced Specialist within 6–12 months, including a salary increase
Leadership development opportunities and one-on-one mentorship
Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility through Brightpoint’s approved-agency status