Foster Care Case Manager

Wellspring Lutheran Services; Kentwood (MI); On-site; USD 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

403(b) retirement plan with employer  

DailyPay access to earnings

Ongoing training and supervision

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Wellspring Lutheran Services in Kentwood, MI, seeks a Foster Care Case Manager to serve Kentwood, Muskegon, and Kalamazoo counties. You will work in the community with children and families, developing individualized plans and coordinating with schools and service providers to move toward safety and belonging.

You’ll visit families, advocate for the child’s voice at hearings, and help connect them with healthcare and supports.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in social work or a related human services field.
• Valid Michigan driver’s license with reliable transportation.
• Strong empathy, accountability and professional ethics.
• Clear communication and thoughtful problem-solving skills.
• Experience in foster care or child welfare is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

• Walk alongside children and families to develop individualized plans.
• Maintain monthly home visits and consistent communication.
• Help families access healthcare and community supports.
• Coordinate with schools, foster parents, birth families and courts.
• Advocate for each child’s well-being during hearings.
• Coordinate visits with parents, siblings and loved ones.
• Provide calm, capable support during crises.
• Keep accurate records to inform decisions.

Skills

Empathy

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Accountability

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related human services field

Job description

Job Description:Foster Care Case ManagerKent, Muskegon and Kalamazoo Counties | Wellspring Lutheran Services | Full-Time, SalariedThere’s a reason you chose this field. Maybe it was the belief that every child deserves to feel safe. Maybe it was the moment you realized families don’t need perfection — they need support, compassion, and someone who won’t give up on them.Or maybe it’s simply that you know how powerful it is when someone shows up, consistently, when it matters most. At Wellspring Lutheran Services, that’s the work we do every day.What This Role Really MeansAs a Foster Care Case Manager serving Kent, Muskegon and Kalamazoo counties and the surrounding West Michigan communities, you’ll become a steady, trusted presence in the lives of children and families navigating incredibly difficult seasons.Your days will take you out into the community — down familiar roads and into neighborhoods where resilience and hope are being rebuilt, one step at a time. You’ll sit across from children in foster homes, listening, encouraging and reminding them they matter. You’ll partner with foster parents, birth families, schools, and service providers to create a circle of care that helps every child move toward stability and belonging.You won’t just manage cases; you’ll help write new chapters.And you won’t do it alone from day one. As you begin, your training, onboarding, and early support will come from our experienced Kentwood-based team—giving you a strong foundation, consistent guidance, and a team you can rely on as you transition into serving families in Kent, Muskegon and Kalamazoo counties.What You’ll DoIn this role, you’ll guide and coordinate the journey toward safety and permanence:Walk alongside children and families as you develop thoughtful, individualized plans that build on their strengthsStay closely connected with monthly home visits and consistent communication, so no one feels alone in the processHelp families access the right resources at the right time, from healthcare to community supportsServe as the thread that connects everyone involved — schools, therapists, foster parents and courtsAdvocate for each child’s well-being by preparing for hearings and giving them a voice when it matters mostSupport meaningful connections by coordinating visits between children and their parents, siblings and loved onesStep in during moments of crisis, offering calm, capable support when it’s needed mostKeep clear and accurate records so every decision is informed, and every step forward is intentionalThis work is structured, but it’s also deeply human. It calls for both organization and heart.What You BringYou don’t have to be perfect — but you do need to be committed.A bachelor’s degree in social work or a related human services fieldA valid Michigan driver’s license, with reliable transportationA strong sense of empathy, accountability and professional ethicsThe ability to balance independence with teamworkClear communication and thoughtful problem-solving skillsExperience in foster care or child welfare is helpful — but your passion for the mission is what matters mostWhat You’ll ReceiveWe know this work asks a lot of you—so we make sure you’re supported.Starting salary of $43,888+ based on experienceHealth, dental and vision insurancePaid time off and holidays403(b) retirement plan with employer matchDailyPay access to your earnings when you need itOngoing training and professional developmentRegular supervision and a team that truly collaboratesEmployee assistance support through Wellspring SupportLincYou’ll also participate in a shared on-call rotation — because supporting families sometimes means being there beyond the typical workday.Why WellspringWellspring Lutheran Services is a statewide nonprofit with one purpose at its core: helping people experience and create a better future.When you join this team, you’re not doing this work alone. You’re surrounded by people who believe in showing up — for each other and for the families we serve. People who understand that progress isn’t always linear, but it’s always worth it.If This Sounds Like You…If you’ve been looking for a role that reconnects you to why you started this work in the first place, this is it.Join us in Kentwood and help children and families find safety, stability, and a way forward.Apply today.About usFor more than 130 years, Wellspring Lutheran Services has been a trusted partner for families across Michigan, providing compassionate support and critical services to help people thrive during times of challenge and change. With deep roots in communities statewide, our team is united by a shared vision of changed lives, strong families and transformed communities.Our mission: Motivated by Christ's love, we engage people as they experience and embrace their God-given potential.Full job description available during the interview.