Family Case Manager

State of Indiana•Kentland, IN

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 position protects children and families from abuse and neglect, works to maintain or reunify families whenever possible, and pursues a permanent home or independent living for children who cannot be reunited with their families. This position is based in Kentland, Indiana, and serves Newton County and surrounding counties as needed. The role may also be used in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Requirements

Meet one of the following credential 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.
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 relating to 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 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 with differing child-rearing practices, relationships, and needs.
Ability to work with children with special needs, foster families, homes willing to accept those children, and professionals who can provide appropriate services.
Ability to exercise sound judgment in crisis situations, including 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.
A degree is not required when the candidate has at least five years of human services experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role.

Responsibilities

Investigate reported child abuse, neglect, or dependency; determine whether incidents are substantiated; and develop disposition recommendations for a Juvenile Court or County Director.
Assess risk 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 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 support family and child self-sufficiency in a safe, nurturing environment and 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 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.
Perform other duties, responsibilities, and activities as assigned.

Benefits

Three medical plan options with 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, 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.