Brightpoint (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.
Family Support Specialist Interns will gain experience working collaboratively with Family Support Specialists to recruit families to our programs and support families by assisting with comprehensive assessment and service planning processes all while connecting families with local resources. The Family Support Specialist internship is appropriate for students pursuing an internship for college credit towards an undergraduate degree in Social Work, Psychology, Child Development, Family Studies, 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 Family Support 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 family contacts.
- Receive guidance in making sound and appropriate decisions regarding the best interests of the families and children that we serve.
- Participate in team meetings and clinical staffing’s.
- Participate in the coordination of parent and program meetings.
- Assist in writing client assessments and case notes.
- Learn about required documentation and proper filing systems.
- Shadow Family Support 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:
- Bachelor’s in Psychology with a Level 5 Family Service Credential
Student Qualifications:
- Currently pursuing one of the following degrees from an accredited college or university:
- Bachelor’s of Social Work, Psychology, Child Development, Family Studies 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.