Become a Foster Parent

Our foster parents provide a stable and accepting temporary home for children and teens that are separated from their families by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) while they work to improve the complex situations that led to the removal of their children through the court system.

Equally important is the duty to reach out to the youth’s family to provide support systems for them to get back up on their feet and maintain a consistent and healing relationship with their child/ren.

We welcome all backgrounds and family structures including single parents, empty nesters, LGBTQIA+ families, and caregivers with disabilities. 

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, fill out the form below or contact us at:

fosterinquiry@brightpoint.org

877-282-4274

What process do I go through to become a foster parent at Brightpoint?

The first step in the process of becoming a licensed foster caregiver with Brightpoint is to complete the foster parent inquiry form below. Once completed, our Recruitment Specialist will reach out to you, answer your questions, and get you started on the preliminary steps- watching an introductory video and completing a fact sheet that tells us a little bit about your family. Prospective caregivers will then be paired with a licensing specialist who services the area where they live.

The licensing specialist will walk the prospective caregiver(s) through the process of becoming a licensed caregiver. These include:

  • Completion of an application for licensure as a foster family home.
  • Completion of background checks for all household members 13+ and fingerprinting for all household members 17+.
  • Completion of a health screening.
  • Completion of a home study. A home study is where your licensing specialist will meet with you and any other caregivers (partner, if applicable), and ask you questions regarding your psychosocial history, your motivation for becoming a foster parent, your support system, your employment history, etc.
  • Completion of a site visit of your home to ensure the home meets licensing standards.
  • Complete 27 hours of training focused on foster care and the needs of children who are in foster care.

Once licensed, your licensing specialist will help match you to child or youth in need of placement.

Foster Parent Inquiry Form

Thank you for considering opening your heart and your home to a youth in foster care. Please fill out the inquiry form below so that a member of our team can help you to determine if foster caregiving with Brightpoint is right for you. Our team can also be reached at fosterinquiry@brightpoint.org or call us at 877-282-4274.

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