Family Case Manager

State of Indiana•Sullivan, IN

About The Position

The Family Case Manager represents the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) and supports families from 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 secure a permanent home or independent living arrangement when reunification is not in the child’s best interest. This position is based in Sullivan, Indiana, and serves Sullivan County and surrounding counties as needed. The salary traditionally starts at $47,320.00 and may be adjusted based on education or work experience. The position may be used in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree; or an associate degree and at least two years of human services job experience; or 30 college credit hours from an accredited institution and the stated minimum of three years of human services job experience; or at least five years of human services job experience. The posting also states that a degree is not required and that 5+ years of relevant human services experience may be considered.
Advanced knowledge of social work, casework, sociology, group and individual counseling, and treatment methods and theories.
Thorough knowledge of state and/or federal laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards affecting child protection, foster care, family preservation, and adoption.
Thorough knowledge of related social services programs and the ability to coordinate work among programs.
Specialized knowledge of how behavioral sciences relate to client care and treatment or social work project objectives.
Ability to investigate and interview alleged victims and perpetrators of child abuse or neglect effectively and appropriately.
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 differing child-rearing practices, relationships, and needs.
Ability to work with children with special needs, foster families, prospective homes, and service professionals.
Ability to exercise sound judgment in crisis situations, including confrontations with 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 allegations are substantiated; and recommend case disposition to a Juvenile Court or County Director.
Assess the risk of further injury or harm to children, determine whether they face imminent danger, and remove and place children in a protected environment when warranted.
Assess the needs of families and children and identify treatment options.
Testify; prepare pre-dispositional and progress reports; maintain case files; and prepare briefing reports for the community child protection team.
Develop informal adjustment plans to divert children from the juvenile justice system.
Develop case plans to help families and children become more self-sufficient in a safe and nurturing environment and to establish a permanent home for the child.
Develop discharge and transition programming 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 responsibility 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 and activities as assigned.

Benefits

Three medical plan options, including prescription coverage, plus vision and dental plans
Wellness Rewards Program with gift card rewards for completed wellness activities
Health savings account with bi-weekly state contributions
Deferred compensation 457(b) account with employer match
Two fully funded pension plan options
Paid New Parent Leave and paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
Paid community service leave
Combined paid vacation, personal, and sick leave
Paid holidays
Education Reimbursement Program
Group life insurance
Referral Bonus program
Employee assistance program with covered behavioral health visits
Eligibility as a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Free parking for most positions
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