Family Case Manager

State of Indiana•Lebanon, IN

1d•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 whenever possible, and seeks a permanent home or independent living arrangement when reunification is not in the child's best interest or is not possible. The position serves Boone County and surrounding counties as needed, from Lebanon, Indiana. The case manager conducts investigations, assessments, home visits, and family studies; develops and monitors case plans; coordinates services with community resources and external providers; visits children in out-of-home placements; and prepares documentation for case files, court proceedings, and agency reporting. The role may include testifying in court and accepting on-call responsibility. The position may be used in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Requirements

Meet one of the following credential and experience pathways: 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 the stated minimum of 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 services, 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 and 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 understand differences in child-rearing practices, relationships, and needs.
Be able to work with children with special needs, foster families, homes willing to accept those children, and professionals who provide appropriate services.
Be able to exercise sound judgment in crisis situations, including confrontational or aggressive adults being investigated for child abuse or neglect.
Be able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Maintain a valid driver's license.

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 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 treatment needs and options for families and children reported to be abused or neglected.
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 to support self-sufficiency in a safe and 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 and coordinate family 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 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.