Family Case Manager

State of Indiana•Frankfort, IN

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Case Manager is a social services caseworker specialist in a Local County Office of the Indiana Department of Child Services. 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 their best interest. The position is based in Frankfort, Indiana, and serves Clinton County and surrounding counties as needed. The case manager conducts home visits and investigations, assesses child safety and family needs, develops and monitors case plans, coordinates services and community resources, and works with families, children, providers, foster families, and other professionals. The role also involves court appearances and testimony, preparation of case and court documentation, and coordination of reunification, adoption, or independent-living efforts. On-call duties may be assigned as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree; or an associate degree and at least two years of human services job experience; or completion of 30 college credit hours from an accredited institution and at least three years of human services job experience; or at least five years of human services job experience.
Advanced knowledge of social work, casework, sociology, and group and individual counseling principles and practices, including treatment methods and theories.
Thorough knowledge of state and/or federal laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards affecting 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 and 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 account for differences in child-rearing practices, relationships, and needs.
Ability to work with children with special needs, foster families, prospective homes, and professionals who provide appropriate services.
Ability to exercise sound judgment in crisis situations, including those involving confrontational or aggressive adults under investigation for child abuse or neglect.
Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Must maintain a valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

A degree is not required; at least five or more years of human services experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.

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 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 treatment needs and options for families and children reported to be abused or neglected.
Testify in court; prepare pre-dispositional and progress reports; maintain case files; and prepare briefing reports for the community child protection team.
Develop informal adjustment plans to divert children from the juvenile justice system.
Develop case plans to help families and children become self-sufficient in a safe, nurturing environment and to secure 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 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 and 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, 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.
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.