Foster Care Case Manager

State of Indiana • Avon, IN

2d

About The Position

The Foster Care Case Manager improves foster care services by licensing foster families and supporting Family Case Managers in making placement determinations for children. The role uses screening methods to understand children’s needs and match them with appropriate foster families. The position recruits, licenses, trains, and supports families to increase foster caregiver retention, reduce placement moves, and increase local placements. This includes expanding the number of foster caregivers and homes, expediting training and licensure for relatives, providing customer service, and using targeted recruitment strategies to meet regional needs.

The position works primarily from Avon, Indiana, and serves Hendricks and surrounding counties in central Indiana: Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Morgan, and Shelby. Residency in the service area is preferred. Mileage is reimbursed, and augmented pay is provided for on-call hours.

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 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, 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 behavioral sciences as they 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 account for 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 can provide appropriate services.
• Be able to exercise sound judgment while managing crises, 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.

Nice To Haves

• Residency in the service area is preferred.
• A degree is not required; at least five years of human services experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.

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 risks 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 reported to be abused or neglected and determine treatment options.
• Testify; prepare pre-dispositional and progress reports; maintain case files; and develop 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 more self-sufficient in a safe and nurturing environment and to 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 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 to coordinate family reunification, adoption, or independent-living efforts.
• Maintain data to help management evaluate trends in family and child needs.
• Guide prospective foster and kinship caregivers through the licensing process.
• Conduct home studies and ensure foster homes comply with state and agency standards.
• Provide ongoing support, training, and monitoring for licensed foster homes.

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, childbirth recovery leave for eligible mothers, community service leave, 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 Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Free parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access
• Mileage reimbursement
• Augmented pay for on-call hours

What This Job Offers

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