Family Case Manager

State of Indiana•Elkhart, IN

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 supports permanent homes or independent living when reunification is not in the child’s best interest. The position is based in Elkhart, Indiana, serves Elkhart County and surrounding counties as needed, and may be used in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs. The work includes investigating reports of abuse, neglect, or dependency; assessing risk and family needs; developing case, treatment, and transition plans; coordinating services with community resources and providers; visiting children and families; and preparing case documentation and reports. The Family Case Manager may testify in court, accept on-call responsibility as needed, and recommend child placement or adoption when appropriate.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree; or an associate degree with at least two years of human services job experience; or 30 college credit hours from an accredited institution with the stated human services experience requirement; 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 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 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 and accurate reports.
Ability to work sensitively with families from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds and understand differences in child-rearing practices, relationships, and needs.
Ability to work with children with special needs, foster families, prospective homes, and service professionals.
Ability to exercise sound judgment in crisis situations, including situations 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.

Responsibilities

Investigate reported incidents of child abuse, neglect, or dependency; determine whether allegations 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 identify treatment options.
Testify in court and 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 that support family self-sufficiency, a safe and nurturing environment, and permanency for children.
Develop discharge and transition programs to help families and children attain and maintain self-sufficiency in a safe environment.
Monitor and assess 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 to coordinate 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, 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 paid New Parent Leave, paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers, community service leave, and combined 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 Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Free parking for most positions.
Free LinkedIn Learning access.