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Form of workBrightpoint (formerly known as Children's Home & Aid) provides students with the opportunity to apply their theoretical learning within a practical setting. We aim to offer deeply meaningful and individualized learning experiences for those entering early childhood education and social service fields. Interns are required to be pursuing college credit towards a degree.
As a leading child and family service organization with more than 20 locations across Illinois, Brightpoint advances the well-being of children by investing in families to disrupt the systemic and multi-generational cycle of racial, social and economic inequality.
The Foster Care Licensing Intern will gain experience working collaboratively with prospective foster families by advocating for foster families to have the tools and resources they need to help children thrive in their homes. Interns will shadow Licensing Specialists's during client visits and are exposed to both the direct service and administrative aspects of recruiting individuals and families as potential foster parents, completing assessments, providing ongoing monitoring of licensed foster homes and collaborating with Foster Care teams to understand placement needs. This Child Welfare internship is appropriate for students pursuing an internship for college credit towards an undergraduate or graduate degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field.
Students may need to travel to various locations in order to best address the needs of clients. Some evening hours may be required.
Learning opportunities include:
- Shadow Licensing Specialist's to learn the variety of tasks involved.
- Learn client interviewing and assessment skills as well as participate in client interviews, assessments and monitoring of licensed foster homes.
- Receive guidance in making sound and appropriate decisions regarding the best interests and safety of youth involved in the Child Welfare system.
- Participate in team meetings.
- Assist in writing client assessments and case notes.
- Learn about required documentation and proper filing systems.
- Shadow Licensing Specialist's during home visits.
- Learn about the history and services of Brightpoint in an orientation to the agency; including introduction to policies and procedures and safety practices.
- Participate in regular supervision with assigned supervisor.
- Complete the following required and recommended trainings: Mandated Reporter, HIPAA, Sexual Harassment Awareness and Prevention, LGBTQIA+, Safety, Trauma 101, ARC 101
Internship Supervisor Qualifications:
- BA in Communications and Sociology
Student Qualifications:
- Currently pursuing one of the following degrees from an accredited college or university:
- Bachelor's or Master's of Social Work, Psychology, Child Development, Counseling, or related field.
- Currently pursuing credit through an academic or other formalized educational program.
- Good written and oral communication skills.
- Basic organizational and time management skills.
- Reliable transportation, valid driver's license and automobile insurance.
Additional Details:
- Pass a fingerprinting background check including CANTS and LEADS.
- Brightpoint does not provide compensation to interns.
Where you complete your internship matters.
We believe that by building diverse and inclusive teams of passionate advocates for youth and families, we can continue to show up for Illinois families, putting those families at the center of every decision, and strengthening the communities where we all work, play, and live together. (More about who we are here.)
We invite you to become an active member of a team that supports, inspires, and challenges each other, and grow your career in an organization that celebrates emerging leaders and provides development and learning opportunities aligned with your individual goals and aspirations. If you are looking for an opportunity to do meaningful work, including raising your unique and authentic voice to disrupt the systemic inequality impacting children and families, we encourage you to apply today.
Click here to review our agency's Blueprint for Impact.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
