Family Case Manager

State of Indiana•Decatur, IN

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Case Manager represents the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) and supports families in a local or central DCS office. The role protects children and families from abuse and neglect, works to maintain or reunify families when possible, and helps achieve a permanent home or independent living for children who cannot be reunited with their families. The position is based in Decatur, Indiana, and serves Adams County and surrounding counties as needed. The role may be used in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Requirements

Meet one of the following education and experience combinations: a bachelor's degree; an associate degree and at least two years of human services job experience; 30 college credit hours from an accredited institution and at least four years of human services job experience; or at least five years of human services job experience.
Knowledge of social work, casework, sociology, and group and individual counseling principles and practices, including treatment methods and theories.
Knowledge of state and/or federal laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards affecting child protection services, foster care, family preservation, and adoption.
Knowledge of related social services programs and ability to coordinate work among programs.
Knowledge of how behavioral sciences interrelate with client care and treatment and social work project objectives.
Ability to investigate and interview alleged victims and perpetrators of child abuse or neglect appropriately and effectively.
Ability to formulate and monitor project guidelines or treatment plans.
Ability to prepare clear, accurate reports.
Ability to work sensitively with families from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds and account for differences in child-rearing practices, relationships, and needs.
Ability to work with children with special needs, foster families, prospective homes, and professionals who provide appropriate services.
Ability to exercise sound judgment in crisis situations, including situations involving confrontational or aggressive adults being investigated for child abuse or neglect.
Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Must maintain a valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

Investigate reports of child abuse, neglect, or dependency, determine whether incidents are substantiated, and recommend dispositions to a Juvenile Court or County Director.
Assess the risk of additional injury or harm to children, determine whether they are in imminent danger, and remove and place children in a protected environment when warranted.
Assess the needs of families and children and determine appropriate treatment options.
Testify; prepare pre-dispositional and progress reports; maintain case files; and develop briefing reports for the community child protection team.
Develop informal adjustment plans with families and children to divert children from the juvenile justice system.
Develop case plans that help families and children become self-sufficient in a safe, nurturing environment and ensure a permanent home for the child.
Develop discharge and transition programs to help families and children attain and maintain self-sufficiency in a safe environment.
Monitor and assess treatment programs and providers to ensure services are consistent with case plans.
Accept on-call responsibilities as needed to receive and investigate allegations of child abuse or neglect.
Conduct home studies and family histories and recommend adoption placements to an adoption team.
Visit children in out-of-home placements and coordinate family reunification, adoption, or independent living efforts.
Maintain data to help management evaluate trends in family and child needs.
Perform other duties, responsibilities, or activities as assigned.

Benefits

Three medical plan options, including prescription coverage, plus vision and dental plans.
Wellness Rewards Program with gift card rewards for completing wellness activities.
Health savings account with a bi-weekly state contribution.
Deferred compensation 457(b) account with employer match.
Two fully funded pension plan options.
Leave policies that include paid new parent leave, childbirth recovery leave for eligible mothers, community service leave, vacation, personal and sick leave.
12 paid holidays, or 14 in election years.
Education reimbursement program.
Group life insurance.
Referral bonus program.
Employee assistance program that includes covered behavioral health visits.
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Free parking for most positions.
Free LinkedIn Learning access.