Foster Care Case Manager

State of Indiana • Franklin, IN

10d • Onsite

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 foster families to support appropriate placements. The case manager recruits, licenses, trains, and supports families to increase foster retention, decrease placement moves, and increase local placements. This includes expanding 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 Franklin, Indiana, and serves Johnson 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 role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following education and experience qualifications: 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.
• 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 ability to coordinate work among programs.
• Specialized knowledge of how behavioral sciences relate to client care and treatment and social work 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 differences in child-rearing practices, relationships, and needs.
• Ability to work with children with special needs, foster families, suitable homes, and professionals providing services to children.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Investigate reported incidents of child abuse, neglect, or dependency; determine whether an incident is 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 reported to be abused or neglected and determine treatment options.
• Testify; prepare pre-dispositional, progress, and briefing reports; maintain case files; and develop 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 each 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 they 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 gather family histories; 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.
• 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.
• 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 a bi-weekly state contribution.
• 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.
• 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
• Education Level: No Education Listed