Community Connection Services Navigator

Children’s Home & Aid; Des Plaines (IL); Hybrid; USD 35,817 - 39,950; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

PTO + holidays

401(k) match

Job summary

Children’s Home & Aid is seeking a Community Connection Services Navigator in Des Plaines, IL. The role collaborates across programs to support families identified by DCFS, delivering timely in‑home assessments and creating action plans to meet safety and wellbeing goals.

The position includes in‑person meetings, case management, and coordination with community partners. A Bachelor’s in Social Work or related field is required, with CERAP/CANS certifications within 90 days and a valid driver’s

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a closely related field required.
• CERAP and CANS OR must obtain these certifications within ninety (90) days of employment.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Conduct timely in‑person assessments with assigned families within 48 hours to evaluate safety concerns and identify immediate needs.
• Develop individualized action plans within 30 days, outlining specific steps families will take and the support required to connect with available community resources.
• Deliver comprehensive case management services, including thorough needs assessments, strategic service planning, coordination of care, resource referrals, progress monitoring, and recommendations for ongoing support as needed.
• Collaborate with external agencies and community partners by attending meetings and coordinating services to ensure a holistic approach to meeting family’s needs.
• Evaluate family circumstances and functioning to provide tailored support that aligns with each family’s self‑identified goals, adjusting action plans as necessary to reflect changing needs.
• Create and implement aftercare service plans in partnership with families, ensuring that all recommended services and supports are in place prior to discharge to promote long‑term stability and success.

Skills

CERAP

CANS

In-person assessments

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field

Job description

Location

Des Plaines, 2800 S. River Rd, Suite 480, Des Plaines, IL 60016, 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.

Community Connection Services Navigator will work collaboratively within and across programs to ensure a relentless focus on keeping children safe and supporting families, consistent with our agency's Blueprint for 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 Community Connection Services Navigator, you will work collaboratively with families identified by the Department of Child and Family Services for 30 days to help meet a range of needs including identifying resources, completing community referrals, meeting with children and families in their homes within 48 hours of case assignment to assess for safety and needs and to create individualized action plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a closely related field required.
• Child Endangerment Risk Assessment Protocol (CERAP) and Child Abuse and Neglect (CANS) OR must obtain these certifications within ninety (90) days of employment.
• 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

• Conduct timely in‑person assessments with assigned families within 48 hours to evaluate safety concerns and identify immediate needs.
• Develop individualized action plans within 30 days, outlining specific steps families will take and the support required to connect with available community resources.
• Deliver comprehensive case management services, including thorough needs assessments, strategic service planning, coordination of care, resource referrals, progress monitoring, and recommendations for ongoing support as needed.
• Collaborate with external agencies and community partners by attending meetings and coordinating services to ensure a holistic approach to meeting family's needs.
• Evaluate family circumstances and functioning to provide tailored support that aligns with each family’s self‑identified goals, adjusting action plans as necessary to reflect changing needs.
• Create and implement aftercare service plans in partnership with families, ensuring that all recommended services and supports are in place prior to discharge to promote long‑term stability and success.

Job Details

• Compensation: Hourly range is between $26.13/hr-$28.74/hr; offers are commensurate on experience and bilingual candidates may receive additional compensation. The salary range provided represents our current estimate for this role at the time of posting and is subject to change. The final salary will be determined based on a range of factors, including but not limited to, a candidate's relevant experience, education, qualifications, skills, certifications, and alignment with organizational needs. We are dedicated to fair and equitable compensation practices and are committed to fostering a diverse workforce while providing equal opportunities for all candidates.
• 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); in‑home services provided to families in Lake County with opportunities to complete service documentation and other case coordination from your preferred location (in office, or remotely). Home office located at 2800 S. River Rd. Des Plaines, IL.
• Schedule: Full‑time, hourly; general business hours with some flexibility required for accommodating client’s schedules or crisis needs.
• 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.