Children’s Home & Aid
Foster Care Specialist ($2,000 Sign-On Bonus & $3,000 Stay Bonus)
Children’s Home & Aid, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Foster Care Specialist ($2,000 Sign-On Bonus & $3,000 Stay Bonus)
Job Category:
Case Management Requisition Number:
FOSTE007280 Posted: January 6, 2026 Full-Time Hybrid Salary: $52,416 per year Locations: Western-CH Western Avenue 100 N Western Ave 2nd Floor Chicago, IL 60612, USA 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. 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. As a Foster Care Specialist, you will gain experience in collaborating with families who have an indicated report of abuse or neglect to work toward a safe reunification or an alternative permanency plan. Your daily routine will involve providing comprehensive and trauma-informed case management services to a
reduced caseload
of families involved in the child welfare system and providing supplemental services to families assigned to Advanced and Lead Specialists. Case management services include assessing the safety and needs of children and families, engaging biological families, supporting foster families, establishing collaborative relationships, monitoring progress toward family reunification, and providing testimony in the Juvenile Court System regarding the best interest of children and families. With support from your supervisor and the Lead Specialist, you will be promoted into an Advanced Specialist position within 6–12 months of hire. 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. What you'll do: 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. Job details: Compensation:
$52,416 per year. Sign-On Bonus:
$2,000 sign-on bonus payable in two installments: $1,000 within the first two pay periods, and $1,000 after 3 months of consecutive employment. Internal candidates are not eligible for sign-on bonus. Additional Compensation:
$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. Eligibility contingent upon the role requiring the CWEL certification. Opportunity for Promotion:
Eligibility for promotion into an Advanced Specialist role within 6–12 months of hire which includes a salary increase. 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 (more benefits details here). Location:
Hybrid (remote/in office); majority of your time will be spent in Cook County and surrounding areas completing home visits to foster homes or meeting with clients in an agency office or community setting, with other opportunities to complete service documentation and other case coordination from your preferred location (in office, or remotely). 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. We don’t just hire talent—we grow it:
Emerging Leaders will have access to leadership development opportunities and one-on-one mentorship. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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Job Category:
Case Management Requisition Number:
FOSTE007280 Posted: January 6, 2026 Full-Time Hybrid Salary: $52,416 per year Locations: Western-CH Western Avenue 100 N Western Ave 2nd Floor Chicago, IL 60612, USA 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. 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. As a Foster Care Specialist, you will gain experience in collaborating with families who have an indicated report of abuse or neglect to work toward a safe reunification or an alternative permanency plan. Your daily routine will involve providing comprehensive and trauma-informed case management services to a
reduced caseload
of families involved in the child welfare system and providing supplemental services to families assigned to Advanced and Lead Specialists. Case management services include assessing the safety and needs of children and families, engaging biological families, supporting foster families, establishing collaborative relationships, monitoring progress toward family reunification, and providing testimony in the Juvenile Court System regarding the best interest of children and families. With support from your supervisor and the Lead Specialist, you will be promoted into an Advanced Specialist position within 6–12 months of hire. 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. What you'll do: 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. Job details: Compensation:
$52,416 per year. Sign-On Bonus:
$2,000 sign-on bonus payable in two installments: $1,000 within the first two pay periods, and $1,000 after 3 months of consecutive employment. Internal candidates are not eligible for sign-on bonus. Additional Compensation:
$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. Eligibility contingent upon the role requiring the CWEL certification. Opportunity for Promotion:
Eligibility for promotion into an Advanced Specialist role within 6–12 months of hire which includes a salary increase. 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 (more benefits details here). Location:
Hybrid (remote/in office); majority of your time will be spent in Cook County and surrounding areas completing home visits to foster homes or meeting with clients in an agency office or community setting, with other opportunities to complete service documentation and other case coordination from your preferred location (in office, or remotely). 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. We don’t just hire talent—we grow it:
Emerging Leaders will have access to leadership development opportunities and one-on-one mentorship. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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