Family Case Manager

State of Indiana • Lafayette, IN

14h • 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, supports family preservation and reunification when possible, and works toward a permanent home or independent living when reunification is not in the child’s best interest or is not possible. The position is based in Lafayette, Indiana, serving Tippecanoe County and surrounding counties as needed.

The Family Case Manager investigates reports of child abuse, neglect, or dependency; assesses child safety and family needs; develops and monitors treatment and case plans; coordinates services with community resources and providers; conducts home visits and studies; and visits children in out-of-home placements. The role also prepares case and court documentation, testifies at hearings, supports adoption and independent-living efforts, and may accept on-call responsibilities. Other duties may be assigned as agency needs change.

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 the stated human services experience requirement; or at least five years of human services job experience. The posting also says a degree is not required and that at least five years of similar human services experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
• 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, 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 affect 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, 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 professionals providing appropriate services.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment while managing crises, including confrontational or aggressive adults being 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 reports 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 a child is in imminent danger, and remove and place a child in a protected environment when warranted.
• Assess treatment needs for families and children reported to be abused or neglected.
• 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 to support family and child self-sufficiency in a safe, nurturing environment and 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 compile 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, and activities as assigned.

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level