Family Case Manager

State of Indiana•Miller Township, 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 whenever possible, and seeks a permanent home or independent living arrangement when reunification is not in the child’s best interest or cannot be achieved. This position is based in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and serves Dearborn County and surrounding counties as needed. The Indiana Department of Child Services supports children who are victims of abuse or neglect and strengthens families through services focused on family support and preservation. Its work includes pursuing permanency through reunification, guardianship, and adoption, as well as providing foster care, child support, and transitional support for people adjusting to adulthood. The salary traditionally starts at $47,320.00 and may be commensurate with education or work experience. The role may be used in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Requirements

Meet one of the following qualification 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, and group and individual counseling principles and practices, including treatment methods and theories.
Have thorough knowledge of state and/or federal laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards affecting child protection services, 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 interrelate with 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 of 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 while managing crisis situations, including those involving confrontational or aggressive adults being investigated for child abuse or neglect.
Be able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Maintain a valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

Investigate reported incidents of child abuse, neglect, or dependency, determine whether incidents are substantiated, and recommend dispositions to a Juvenile Court or County Director.
Assess risks of further injury or harm to children, determine whether a child is in imminent danger, and remove and place a child in a protected environment when warranted.
Assess the needs of families and children and determine 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 with families and children to divert children from the juvenile justice system.
Develop case plans to support self-sufficiency in a safe and nurturing environment and 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 the service capability of treatment programs and providers to ensure consistency 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, responsibilities, or activities as assigned.

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.
Eligibility as a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Free parking for most positions.
Free LinkedIn Learning access.