Foster Care Case Manager

State of Indiana • Noblesville, IN

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Foster Care Case Manager improves foster care services by licensing foster families and supporting Family Case Managers with placement determinations. The role uses screening methods to match children’s needs with foster families and works to improve placement appropriateness, reduce placement moves, and increase local placements. This includes recruiting, licensing, training, and supporting caregivers; expanding the number of foster homes; expediting training and licensure for relatives; providing customer service; and using targeted recruitment strategies to meet regional needs.

The position works primarily from Noblesville, Indiana, and serves Hamilton 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. The salary traditionally starts at $47,320, but may be commensurate with education and work experience. The role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

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, and group and individual counseling principles and practices, including 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 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 and differing child-rearing practices, relationships, and needs.
• Ability to work with children with special needs, foster families, suitable homes, and service professionals.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment while managing crises, including situations involving 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.

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 stated knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Guide prospective foster and kinship caregivers through the licensing process.
• Conduct home studies and ensure compliance with state and agency standards.
• Provide ongoing support, training, and monitoring for licensed foster homes.
• Investigate reported incidents of child abuse, neglect, or dependency; determine whether incidents are substantiated; and recommend disposition 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 the needs of families and children 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 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 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.

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 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.
• Mileage reimbursement.
• Augmented pay for on-call hours.

What This Job Offers

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