At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families and children in need, ensuring safety and well-being through collaborative solutions.
- Company: Join Brightpoint, a mission-driven leader in human services for over 140 years.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous PTO, health insurance, and student loan forgiveness options.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with opportunities for leadership development and mentorship.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field; CWEL certification required.
The predicted salary is between 52416 - 57416 € per year.
Brightpoint invites you to join our team of mission-driven staff who share a common vision: an equitable world where all children and families thrive in strong communities. As a leader in the human services sector for 140 years, we aim to advance the well-being of children by investing in families and strengthening communities through data-informed, collaborative, and preventative solutions.
Position Overview
The Foster Care Specialist is a critical member of the region’s child welfare team, working collaboratively within and across programs to ensure a relentless focus on keeping children safe and supporting families, consistent with our agency's Blueprint of Impact, which includes replacing what we currently think of as child welfare services with what we know to be child, family, and community well-being solutions. As a Foster Care Specialist, you will gain experience in collaborating with families who have indicated reports of abuse or neglect to work toward a safe reunification or an alternative permanency plan to ensure the wellbeing of every child. Your daily routine will involve providing comprehensive and trauma-informed case management services to a reduced case load of families involved in the child welfare system and providing supplemental services to families assigned to Advanced and Lead Specialists.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a reduced caseload of families with children in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) due to 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 comprehensive and consistent engagement with family, 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 home visits, including scheduled and unannounced 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.
Candidate Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a closely related field required.
- Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL), Child Endangerment Risk Assessment Protocol (CERAP), and Child Abuse and Neglect (CANS) certification required, or the ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
- Experience providing collaborative, strength-based services to kids and families preferred.
- Ability to attend in-person meetings and events as needed required.
- Valid driver's license, insurance, and a reliable vehicle required.
Compensation and Benefits
- Compensation: $52,416 annual fixed salary ($57,416 annual fixed salary for qualified English/Spanish bilingual candidates).
- Additional Compensation: A $3,000 CWEL Stay Bonus payable in two installments: $1,500 after 6 months of consecutive employment and $1,500 after 12 months of consecutive employment.
- Opportunity for Promotion: Eligibility for promotion into an Advanced Specialist role within 6-12 months of hire which includes a salary increase.
- Location: Hybrid (remote/in office); majority of your time will be spent in Winnebago, Boone and surrounding counties completing home visits to foster homes or meeting with clients in an agency office or community setting.
- Schedule: Full-time, salaried; general business hours with some flexibility required for accommodating client’s schedules and special projects. On call responsibilities on a shared rotation.
- Benefits: Medical/dental/vision insurance, 3+ weeks 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 match.
- Student Loan Forgiveness: Brightpoint is an approved agency for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
Foster Care Specialist in Somerset employer: Children’s Home & Aid
Brightpoint is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering an equitable world where children and families thrive. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer comprehensive benefits including medical insurance, generous paid time off, and leadership development opportunities, all within a supportive work culture that prioritises collaboration and community impact. Our hybrid work model allows for flexibility while ensuring that our Foster Care Specialists can effectively engage with families in Winnebago, Boone, and surrounding counties, making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Foster Care Specialist in Somerset
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the child welfare sector, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Brightpoint’s mission and values. Understand their approach to child welfare and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills in trauma-informed care during interviews. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've supported families in challenging situations. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Brightpoint team and making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Foster Care Specialist in Somerset
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for child welfare shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in the lives of children and families.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have in social work or child welfare. We love seeing how your background aligns with our mission and the specific responsibilities of the Foster Care Specialist role.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your information and ensures you’re considered for this amazing opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Children’s Home & Aid
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the key responsibilities of a Foster Care Specialist. Familiarise yourself with concepts like trauma-informed care, family reunification, and the child welfare system. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your past experiences working with families or children, especially in challenging situations. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've collaborated with families or provided support. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the agency's approach to child welfare, team dynamics, or ongoing training opportunities. This shows that you're engaged and thinking critically about how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to be asked how you would handle specific situations related to child welfare. Think through potential scenarios beforehand and consider your responses. This will help you articulate your thought process and decision-making skills during the interview.
