Case Manager Child & Family Services

Door County Wisconsin•Sturgeon Bay, WI

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Case Manager performs complex social work in a team environment with children, youth, and families involved in Child Protective Services (CPS) and/or Youth Justice (YJ). Depending on assignment, primary or secondary responsibilities may include access and intake of child abuse or neglect reports, juvenile court intake, initial CPS assessments, ongoing case management, and foster or kinship care placement and caregiver support. Case Managers are cross-trained to provide backup coverage and balance workload across the Children and Families Division, including rotating on-call coverage. The position engages families using strength-based, trauma-informed, family-focused practices to promote resilience, accountability, and permanency. It coordinates services and placements, supports kin and foster caregivers, works with internal and external partners and tribal nations when applicable, and maintains accurate case records and court documentation. Work is primarily office-based, with required fieldwork and travel to sites within the county. The position may also require work during a proclaimed state of emergency.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
Valid driver’s license.
At least two years of experience in CPS, youth justice, foster care, or related human services.
Proficiency with case management tools such as eWiSACWIS and standard office software, or ability to learn through training.
Ability to apply investigative techniques and knowledge of Chapters 48 and 938 to assess risk and recommend interventions.
Strong communication skills for sensitive client interactions, reports, and court testimony.
Ability to develop creative service plans within statutory and policy frameworks and address complex family dynamics.
Ability to collaborate with colleagues, families, and community partners.
Cultural competence and respect for diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Adherence to social work ethics, confidentiality, and professional boundaries.
Ability to maintain a family-focused, client-centered approach.
Ability to remain stationary for extended periods, move occasionally within the building, and occasionally lift up to 10 pounds.
Ability to conduct fieldwork, including home visits, which may involve hostile or emotionally charged environments, while maintaining confidentiality and personal safety.

Nice To Haves

Certification as a Social Worker or at a higher level with the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.

Responsibilities

Receive and process reports of alleged child abuse or neglect, gather information from mandated and non-mandated reporters, and provide timely initial screening recommendations.
Process reports of law violations, delinquent behavior, and truancy; interview youth, families, and victims; recommend case dispositions; and manage court processes.
Investigate and assess alleged child maltreatment, develop protective plans when necessary, initiate court interventions as needed, and prioritize kin and like-kin involvement when possible.
Provide ongoing case management by developing family-centered case or permanency plans, coordinating services, and monitoring compliance with legal and program requirements.
Maintain timely and accurate documentation in eWiSACWIS and prepare reports and court documents compliant with applicable mandates.
Engage families using strength-based and trauma-informed practices to promote resilience, accountability, and permanency.
Use Family Find practices to engage kin and like-kin for children in or at risk of out-of-home care, and support foster and kinship licensing, recruitment, and retention.
Coordinate foster care, kinship care, and Independent Living Program requirements, including youth goal development, documentation, and participation in state ILP meetings.
Provide post-permanency supports by fulfilling subsidized guardianship requirements under Department of Children and Families guidelines.
Coordinate out-of-home placements when necessary, ensuring compliance with safety standards and placement stability.
Provide rotating on-call services during evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Partner with internal and external stakeholders to coordinate care and service delivery.
Collaborate with tribal nations when the Indian Child Welfare Act or Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act applies.
Participate in division-wide cross-training to provide coverage and balance workload among service areas.
Conduct quality assurance through file reviews, documentation audits, and timely data entry; support public records processes, including redaction, background checks, and organized record management.
Follow federal, state, county, and departmental policies concerning confidentiality, information privacy, and security.
Drive to various sites within the county and conduct required fieldwork, including home visits.
May be required to work during a proclaimed state of emergency, consistent with applicable Wisconsin statutes and county emergency plans.