Family Case Manager

State of Indiana • Salem, IN

1d • Onsite

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 Salem, Indiana, and serves Washington County and surrounding counties as needed.

The position investigates reports of child abuse, neglect, or dependency; assesses risk and family needs; develops and monitors case and treatment plans; and coordinates services to promote child safety and family self-sufficiency. The case manager may testify in court, prepare reports and case records, accept on-call responsibilities as needed, and coordinate reunification, adoption, or independent-living efforts.

The salary traditionally starts at $47,320 and may be commensurate with education or work experience. The role may be used in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs. The State of Indiana describes its work as helping children who are victims of abuse or neglect and strengthening families through support and preservation services, with permanency pursued through reunification, guardianship, and adoption.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following education and experience alternatives: 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 current treatment methods and theories.
• Thorough knowledge of state and/or federal laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards affecting child protection services, 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 the objectives of social work projects.
• 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 differing child-rearing practices, relationships, and needs.
• Ability to work with children with special needs, including mental or emotional conditions, and with foster families, prospective homes, and professionals providing services to them.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment while managing crises, including situations involving 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.
• At least five or more 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 reports 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 and determine appropriate 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 help families and children become self-sufficient in a safe, nurturing environment and ensure a permanent home for the child.
• Develop discharge and transition programming to support families and children in attaining and maintaining self-sufficiency in a safe environment.
• Monitor and assess treatment programs’ and providers’ service capabilities for 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; these may change at any time.

Benefits

• Three medical plan options, including prescription coverage, plus vision and dental plans.
• Wellness Rewards Program with gift card rewards for completing 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.
• Free LinkedIn Learning access.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level