Family Case Manager

State of Indiana•Spencer, IN

About The Position

The Family Case Manager represents the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) and supports families through 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 children achieve a permanent home or independent living when reunification is not in the child’s best interest. This position is based in Spenser, Indiana, and serves Owen County and surrounding counties as needed. The Department of Child Services works to protect children who are victims of abuse or neglect and strengthen families through support and preservation services. Its work includes foster care, child support, and transitional support, and seeks permanency through reunification, guardianship, and adoption. The role may be used in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Requirements

Meet one of the following education and experience pathways: 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.
Have advanced knowledge of social work, casework, sociology, group and individual counseling, and treatment methods and theories.
Have thorough knowledge of state and/or federal laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards affecting child protection, foster care, family preservation, and adoption.
Have thorough knowledge of related social services programs and the ability to coordinate work among programs.
Have specialized knowledge of how behavioral sciences relate to client care and treatment or social work project objectives.
Be able to investigate and interview alleged victims and perpetrators of child abuse or neglect appropriately and effectively.
Be able to formulate and monitor project guidelines or treatment plans.
Be able to prepare clear, accurate reports.
Be able to work sensitively with families from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, including differences in child-rearing practices, relationships, and needs.
Be able to work with children with special needs, foster families, prospective homes, and professionals providing appropriate services.
Be able to exercise sound judgment in crisis situations, including situations involving confrontational or aggressive adults being investigated for child abuse or neglect.
Be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Maintain a valid driver’s license.
At least five years of human services experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered in place of a degree.

Responsibilities

Investigate reported incidents of child abuse, neglect, or dependency; determine whether incidents are substantiated; and recommend disposition 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 reported to have experienced abuse or neglect and determine 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 to help families and children become more self-sufficient in a safe, nurturing environment and to ensure 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 their 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 to coordinate reunification, adoption, or independent-living efforts.
Maintain data to help management evaluate trends in family and child needs.

Benefits

Three medical plan options, including prescription coverage, as well as 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 including 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers.
Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave.
Combined 180 hours of paid 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 with covered behavioral health visits.
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Free parking for most positions.
Free LinkedIn Learning access.