Job Description
Foster Care Navigator - Recruitment Support Coordinator | Helping Foster Families Begin Their Journey
Wellspring Lutheran Services – Gaylord | Hybrid | Part-time | Hourly $20.00
You understand something that not everyone knows: Foster care changes lives.
Not only for the children who need safe, stable homes, but also for the families who choose to open their hearts and homes to them.
You may have experienced foster care personally, served as a foster parent, worked alongside foster
families, or simply witnessed the incredible impact that caring adults can have on a child's future.
You know that becoming a foster parent can feel exciting, overwhelming, meaningful, and uncertain all at the same time.
That's why support matters.
At Wellspring Lutheran Services, we're looking for a Foster Care Navigator- Recruitment Support Coordinator who is passionate about encouraging, educating, and supporting foster families throughout their journey.
In this role, you'll serve as a guide, resource, and advocate for prospective and current foster parents.
You'll help families navigate the foster care process, connect them to resources, provide encouragement, and help build a stronger network of foster families throughout the community.
Most importantly, you'll help ensure more children have access to safe, nurturing, and supportive homes.
What Your Impact Will Look Like
You'll build relationships with individuals and families who are exploring foster care and help them understand the difference they can make in a child's life.
You'll serve as a trusted point of contact, helping prospective foster parents navigate questions, concerns, and next steps throughout the licensing process.
You'll share information, encouragement, and resources that help families feel prepared, supported, and confident as they move through their foster care journey.
You'll use your relationship-building skills to connect with families, community organizations, and
partners while helping raise awareness about the ongoing need for foster parents.
You'll support foster parent recruitment efforts by participating in community presentations, outreach events, and educational opportunities designed to inspire others to consider fostering.
You'll help strengthen foster parent retention by coordinating support activities, training opportunities, and ongoing engagement initiatives that help foster families continue their important work.
Some days you'll be speaking with a family considering foster care for the first time. Other days you'll be presenting at a community event, supporting foster parent training, answering questions, connecting families with resources, or celebrating the milestones of foster parents who continue making a difference in children's lives.
Every day, you'll help build the support system that foster families need to succeed.
Why This Role Matters
Children entering foster care need more than placement.
They need foster families who feel prepared, supported, encouraged, and connected.
The work of a Foster Care Navigator helps make that possible.
By helping recruit new foster parents and supporting those already serving, you'll contribute directly to increasing the number of safe, nurturing homes available for children in need.
Your work helps strengthen foster families, and stronger foster families create better outcomes for children.
The Professional We're Looking For
- You are passionate about helping children and supporting families.
- You enjoy building relationships and encouraging others.
- You communicate with empathy, professionalism, and authenticity.
- You believe foster parents deserve support, education, and appreciation for the important role they play.
- You are organized, dependable, and comfortable speaking with diverse audiences.
- You thrive in community-based work and enjoy networking with others.
- You want your work to make a meaningful difference.
What You'll Bring
- Bachelor's degree preferred.
- Current or former foster parent experience in good standing.
- A valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and auto insurance.
- Knowledge of child development and family dynamics.
- Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Commitment to a strengths-based, family-centered approach.
Why Wellspring Lutheran Services?
At Wellspring Lutheran Services, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to experience safety, belonging, and support.
Foster families make that possible. Our Foster Care Navigators help make sure those families never have to walk the journey alone.
Through education, advocacy, encouragement, and connection, you'll help strengthen the foster care system and support the families who are changing children's lives every day.
This is more than a recruitment role.
It's an opportunity to build community, support families, and create brighter futures for children.
We Offer
- Employee Assistance Program (SupportLinc)
- Mileage reimbursement
- Professional development opportunities
- Flexible work environment
- A mission-driven team committed to children and families
- Meaningful work that creates lasting impact
Schedule
Part
- -time
- Flexible schedule based on foster family and community needs with regular evening and weekend availability required for community outreach, foster parent recruitment activities, training events, and family support efforts.
- Community-based travel throughout the service area using a personal vehicle.
- Schedule may vary depending on recruitment events, trainings, orientations, and family engagement activities.
Apply Today
If you're passionate about foster care, believe every child deserves a safe and supportive home, and want to help families make a lasting difference, we'd love to meet you.
Join Wellspring Lutheran Services and help build the network of foster families that gives children hope, stability, and a brighter future.
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.