Family Case Manager

State of Indiana•Bluffton, IN

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Case Manager represents the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) and supports families from 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 for children who cannot be reunified when that is in the child’s best interest. This position is based in Bluffton, Indiana, serves Wells County and surrounding counties as needed, and may be used in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs. The salary traditionally starts at $47,320 and may be commensurate with education or work experience. The role may require on-call work as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree; or an associate degree and at least two years of human services job experience; or 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 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 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, recognizing 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 situations involving confrontational or aggressive adults investigated 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 reports are substantiated; and recommend disposition to a Juvenile Court or County Director.
Assess risks of additional injury or harm to children, including imminent danger, and remove children from their families when warranted, placing them in a protected environment.
Assess family and child needs 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 self-sufficiency in a safe and 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 service providers 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 to coordinate family reunification, adoption, or independent-living efforts.
Maintain data to help management evaluate trends in family and child needs.
Perform other duties and activities as assigned; responsibilities may change.

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.
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Free parking for most positions.
Free LinkedIn Learning access.