Supervisor - Foster Care

Lutheran Child & Family Service of Michigan, Inc.; Kentwood (MI); On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

403(b) retirement plan with employer-m

Employee Assistance Program (SupportLi

Professional development and growth

Mileage reimbursement

Collaborative, mission-driven culture

Meaningful work for families and kids

Job summary

Wellspring Lutheran Services in Kentwood seeks a Foster Care Licensing Supervisor to lead a team of licensing professionals dedicated to safety, permanency, and well-being for children.

You will provide coaching, supervision, and support to staff, helping them navigate complex child welfare cases while ensuring compliance with agency and licensing requirements. This full-time, on-site role emphasizes collaboration and mentorship.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work or a related field preferred with a minimum of two years of experience working with children and families.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field with at least 3 years of field experience (required).
• Knowledge of child welfare practices, community resources, and foster care programs.
• Strong leadership, supervision, communication, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to strength-based, family-centered practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of foster care licensing professionals who work directly with foster families, biological families, and community partners.
• Provide coaching, supervision, and support to help staff build confidence and navigate challenges in child welfare work.
• Ensure high quality services focused on safety, permanency, and long-term success, while maintaining compliance with agency, licensing, and contractual requirements.
• Foster collaboration with community agencies, courts, schools, and service providers to connect families to resources.
• Support staff and staff development, guide problem-solving, and promote best interests of children and families.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Master’s degree in social work or related field

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field

Job description

Job Description: Foster Care Licensing Supervisor | Leading with Purpose, Supporting Families & Growing Future Leaders Wellspring Lutheran Services - Kentwood | Full-Time | Salary $55,000

You didn't choose foster care because it was easy. You chose this work because you believe children deserve safety, stability, and the opportunity to thrive. You understand that foster care is about more than managing cases-it's about supporting children through uncertainty, partnering with families, strengthening foster homes, and helping create brighter futures. You've learned that meaningful outcomes for children begin with strong professionals. When case managers and licensing workers are supported, coached, and developed, they are better equipped to serve the children and families who depend on them. At Wellspring Lutheran Services, we're looking for a Foster Care Licensing Supervisor who is passionate about supporting both families and the professionals who walk alongside them. In this role, you'll provide leadership, guidance, and support to a team of foster care licensing professionals dedicated to helping children achieve safety, permanency, and well-being. You'll help staff navigate complex situations, celebrate successes, and continue growing in their ability to serve children and families effectively. Most importantly, you'll help create better outcomes for children by supporting the people who serve them every day.

What Your Impact Will Look Like

You'll lead a team of foster care licensing professionals who work directly foster families, biological families, and community partners. You'll provide coaching, supervision, and support that helps staff build confidence, strengthen skills, and navigate the challenges that come with child welfare work. You'll help ensure children receive high-quality services focused on safety, permanency, and long-term success while maintaining compliance with agency, licensing, and contractual requirements. You'll foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and support where employees feel valued, encouraged, and connected to the mission.

You'll work alongside community agencies, courts, schools, and service providers to help families access the resources and support they need. You'll serve as a mentor and resource during difficult situations, helping staff solve problems, make informed decisions, and stay focused on the best interests of children.

Some days you'll be reviewing cases/placements, coaching a new licensing worker, collaborating with community partners, or helping a team member navigate a complex family situation. Other days you'll be supporting foster families and helping your team recognize the impact they make every day. Every day, your leadership helps shape the experiences of children and families throughout the foster care system.

The Leader We're Looking For

You are passionate about supporting children and strengthening families. You believe great leadership starts with service, support, and mentorship. You enjoy helping professionals grow and develop their skills. You approach families with empathy, respect, and a strengths-based mindset. You are comfortable balancing clinical leadership, operational oversight, and team development. You value collaboration and understand that lasting change happens through strong partnerships. You remain focused on hope, even when families are facing difficult circumstances.

What You'll Bring

• Master’s degree in social work or a related human services field (preferred) with a minimum of two years of experience working with children and families.
• Bachelor's degree in social work or a related human services field with at least 3 years of field experience (required).
• Knowledge of child welfare practices, community resources, and foster care programs.
• Strong leadership, supervision, communication, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to strength-based, family-centered practice.

Why Wellspring Lutheran Services?

At Wellspring Lutheran Services, we believe every child deserves a safe and supportive environment, and every family deserves the opportunity to succeed. Our Foster Care teams work every day to support children, foster families, and parents through some of life's most challenging transitions. As a Foster Care Licensing Supervisor, you'll help ensure those services are delivered with compassion, professionalism, and excellence. This role offers the opportunity to combine leadership, mentorship, and child welfare expertise in a way that creates lasting impact for both families and the professionals serving them.

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
• Employee Assistance Program (SupportLinc)
• Professional development and leadership growth opportunities
• Mileage reimbursement
• Collaborative, mission-driven culture
• Meaningful work that strengthens children, families, and communities

Schedule Full-time, on-site. Daytime hours and a weekday schedule - with flexibility for with evening and weekend responsibilities as needed to support team. Availability to support staff and respond to urgent situations involving assigned cases and program needs. Occasional travel throughout the west Michigan community to support staff, families, foster homes, and partner agencies as needed. Occasional overnight travel for training, meetings, and professional development opportunities.

About us

For 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. We have a bold vision at Wellspring. We truly believe that through the way we serve and love others, we can change lives, strengthen families and transform communities. We also believe each person who walks through our doors has purpose. One of the most rewarding gifts we receive daily is the opportunity to embrace that purpose, by using our God-given gifts to transform the lives of others. This may be the people we serve - or it may be through our interaction with each other as coworkers. And we'd love to have you join our team.