Child Care Assistance Specialist

Brightpoint invites you to join our team of mission-driven staff who share a common vision: an equitable world where all children and families thrive in strong communities. As a leader in the human services sector for 140 years, we aim to advance the well-being of children by investing in families and strengthening communities through data-informed, collaborative, and preventative solutions.

The Child Care Assistance Specialist works within the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to provide support and assistance to parents and guardians who are requesting child care services while they work, attend school or seek employment. As a Child Care Assistance Specialist, you will work directly with income eligible families and child care providers to help them complete and submit the required documentation to receive child care assistance, and then maintain an ongoing supportive relationship with them through the eligibility and annual re-determination process. The Child Care Assistance Specialist also offers assistance to child care providers to ensure proper completion of required forms and linking them additional services for training and support as needed, as well as reviewing billing forms and verifying payment processing, and acting as a liaison with the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Candidate qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent required; some college preferred.
• At least three years' experience in bookkeeping and/or customer service strongly preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
• Proficiency with computer systems, including Microsoft products, required.
• Valid driver's license, insurance, and a reliable vehicle required.

Job Responsibilities:

• Receives parent/guardian applications for participation in Child Care Assistance Programs, reviews and verifies eligibility for child care services based upon state mandated criteria. 
• Offers assistance to child care providers to ensure proper completion of necessary forms. 
• Reviews billing forms and verifies payment processing. 
• Ensures that all appropriate forms are sent to providers on a timely basis under program policies and procedures. 
• Verifies provider eligibility for each assigned case. 
• Maintains an assigned caseload; may assist other Specialists with their caseloads, as assigned. 
• Verifies eligibility and approves payment of subsidized care for eligible individuals in assigned caseload. 
• Assists in preparing all documents, including required State of Illinois forms and correspondence related to parent/guardian and provider eligibility with notification to parents/guardians and the Illinois Department of Human Services about eligibility. 
• Re-determines eligibility and follows through to assist parents/guardians in submitting the required documentation. 
• Performs data entry functions related to assigned caseload. 

Job details:

• Compensation: Hourly: Range is between $16.42-$17.50 per hour, offers are commensurate with experience and bilingual candidates may receive additional compensation. The salary range provided represents our current estimate for this role at the time of posting and is subject to change. The final salary will be determined based on a range of factors, including but not limited to, a candidate's relevant experience, education, qualifications, skills, certifications, and alignment with organizational needs. We are dedicated to fair and equitable compensation practices and are committed to fostering a diverse workforce while providing equal opportunities for all candidates.
• Benefits: Medical/dental/vision insurance, 3+ weeks paid time off in the first year including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day (PTO increases with tenure); 11 paid holidays, supplemental insurance options, 401(k) with match (more benefits details here).
• Location: Granite City with opportunities for hybrid (1-2 days remote) following a 6-8 week orientation and training period.
• Schedule: Full-time, hourly; general business hours.
• Student Loan Forgiveness: Brightpoint is an approved agency for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).