Brightpoint (formerly known as Children’s Home & Aid) provides students with the opportunity to apply their theoretical learning within a practical setting. We aim to offer deeply meaningful and individualized learning experiences for those entering early childhood education and social service fields. Interns are required to be pursuing college credit towards a degree.

As a leading child and family service organization with more than 20 locations across Illinois, Brightpoint advances the well-being of children by investing in families to disrupt the systemic and multi-generational cycle of racial, social and economic inequality. 

Interns will gain experience coordinating the referral, intake, and assessment process for out-patient behavioral health services. Furthermore, interns will collaborate with families and referral sources in order to determine service needs and facilitate appropriate service provisions while engaging with internal program staff and community partners to increase the visibility and accessibility of services to eligible youth and families.

Learning opportunities include:

• Gain knowledge of relevant referrals, local resources, and community supports available to program clients.
• Learn client interviewing, assessment, service planning, and case management skills.
• Complete mental health assessments when appropriate.
• Participate in clinical staffings and team meetings when appropriate.
• Gain knowledge about the profound impact trauma can have on child and family functioning.
• Shadow staff clinicians as they provide counseling services and other interventions to youth and families who have been impacted by trauma.
• Learn about required documentation and proper filing systems.
• Learn about the history and services of Brightpoint in an orientation to the agency, including introduction to policies & procedures and safety practices.
• Participate in regular supervision with assigned clinical supervisor.
• Complete the following required and recommended trainings: Mandated Reporter, HIPAA, Sexual Harassment Awareness and Prevention, LGBTQIA , Safety, Trauma 101, ARC 101

Internship Supervisor Qualifications:

• LCPC

Student Qualifications: 

• Currently pursuing an Associate's or Undergraduate degree in Social Work, Counseling, or a closely related clinical field.
• Currently pursuing credit through an academic or other formalized educational program.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Basic organizational and time management skills.
• Works well independently. 

Additional Details:

• Interns must pass a fingerprinting background check including CANTS and LEADS.
• Brightpoint does not provide compensation to interns.

Where you complete your internship matters.

We believe that by building diverse and inclusive teams of passionate advocates for youth and families, we can continue to show up for Illinois families, putting those families at the center of every decision, and strengthening the communities where we all work, play, and live together. (More about who we are here.)

We invite you to become an active member of a team that supports, inspires, and challenges each other, and grow your career in an organization that celebrates emerging leaders and provides development and learning opportunities aligned with your individual goals and aspirations. If you are looking for an opportunity to do meaningful work, including raising your unique and authentic voice to disrupt the systemic inequality impacting children and families, we encourage you to apply today.

Click here to review our agency’s Blueprint for Impact.