Change happens within the family and through the creation of partnerships. Therefore, caregivers, children, and their support systems, including foster caregivers and kin, are all considered participants and important team members.
When families are unable to care for their children, Brightpoint works to find suitable homes for them with caregivers who can provide the appropriate care based on the children’s individual needs.
Brightpoint’s Foster Care provides case management services to families involved with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Youth in care receive services according to their level of need: traditional foster care, behavioral specialized foster care, or medical specialized foster care. Families receive support services to address the conditions which lead to DCFS involvement. Workers partner with biological family and caregivers to support reunification or move forward with adoption or guardianship if reunification is not possible.
Our services are offered in Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane, Winnebago, Ogle, Boone, Stephenson, DeKalb, McHenry, St. Clair, Madison, Randolph, Bond, Clinton, and Jersey.
For more information on becoming a caregiver contact:
fosterinquiry@brightpoint.org
When children enter foster care with maternal or paternal relatives, we work with the family to assess why the child came into care, and address the acute needs including day-to-day caregiving, medical and mental health care, schooling, tutoring, housing, and family conflict resolution with the goal of reunifying the child with their parents or establishing a permanent living option outside of foster care. Relative foster care provides services to families to help relative caregivers provide a stable home for their relative’s children.
For services in Cook, Lake, Will, and Kane, email:
Rebecca Stone
rstone@brightpoint.org
For services in Winnebago, Stephenson, Boone, McHenry, Ogle, and Dekalb, email:
Loni Wilson
lwilson@brightpoint.org
For services in St. Clair, Madison, Randolph, Bond, and Jersey, email:
Katy Cotts
kcotts@brightpoint.org
Many youth in care have experienced trauma, often leading to behavioral and medical issues that require highly specialized care. We offer mental health, medical, dental, developmental, and educational services specific to each child’s needs. We also offer therapy, training, and peer support for parents and caregivers.
For services in Cook, Lake, Will, and Kane, email:
Rebecca Stone
rstone@brightpoint.org
For services in Winnebago, Stephenson, Boone, McHenry, Ogle, and DeKalb, email:
Loni Wilson
lwilson@brightpoint.org
For services in St. Clair, Madison, Randolph, Bond, and Jersey, email:
Katy Cotts
kcotts@brightpoint.org
We work to keep sibling groups together in the same home while we work to promote family reunification and ensuring the safety, permanency and wellbeing of children.
For services in Cook, Lake, Will, and Kane, email:
Rebecca Stone
rstone@brightpoint.org
For services in Winnebago, Stephenson, Boone, McHenry, Ogle, and DeKalb, email:
Loni Wilson
lwilson@brightpoint.org
For services in St. Clair, Madison, Randolph, Bond, and Jersey, email:
Katy Cotts
kcotts@brightpoint.org
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