Family Case Manager

State of Indiana • Valparaiso, 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 helps secure a permanent home or independent living for children who cannot be reunited with their families. This position is based in Valparaiso, Indiana, serves Porter County and surrounding counties as needed, and may be used in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following education 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 at least 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, group and individual counseling, and 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 or 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 differences in child-rearing practices, relationships, and needs.
• Be able to work with children with special needs, foster families, prospective homes, and professionals providing services to those children.
• Be able to exercise sound judgment in crisis situations, including situations involving 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 reports of child abuse, neglect, or dependency; determine whether incidents are substantiated; and recommend a disposition to a Juvenile Court or County Director.
• Assess risks of further 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 reported to have experienced abuse or neglect 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 to help families and children become self-sufficient in a safe and nurturing environment and 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 providers to ensure their services align 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 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 an 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