Family Case Manager

State of Indiana•Winchester, 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 pursues a permanent home or independent living for children who cannot be reunified when that is in the child’s best interest. This position is based in Winchester, Indiana, and serves Randolph County and surrounding counties as needed. The role may be used in a supervisory capacity depending on agency needs. The stated starting salary is $47,320, though it may be adjusted based on education or work experience.

Requirements

Meet one of the following education and experience qualifications: a bachelor’s degree; an associate degree plus at least two years of human services job experience; 30 college credit hours from an accredited institution plus 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, 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 and respect differences in child-rearing practices, relationships, and needs.
Be able to work with children with special needs, foster families, prospective caregivers, and professionals providing appropriate services.
Be able to exercise sound judgment when managing crises, including situations involving confrontational or aggressive adults investigated for child abuse or neglect.
Be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
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 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 that support family and child self-sufficiency in a safe, nurturing environment and help 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, and 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
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