Older Youth Case Manager

State of Indiana•Jasper, IN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Older Youth Case Manager works with a specialized caseload of adolescents in the Department of Child Services to help them transition successfully to adulthood and independence. The role coordinates and promotes independent living services, assesses each youth’s needs, develops plans, attends court, maintains database documentation, and contacts local field offices to help ensure eligible youth receive services at the ages specified by policy. The position works primarily from Jasper, Indiana, and serves Dubois, Martin, and Orange counties in Southwest Indiana. Residency in the service area is preferred. Mileage is reimbursed, and augmented pay is provided for on-call hours. The position investigates allegations of child abuse, neglect, or dependency; assesses child safety and risk; and may remove children from unsafe situations. It also evaluates family and child needs, coordinates treatment and placement services, develops case and transition plans, prepares reports and case files, and supports reunification, adoption, or independent living. The role may be used 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 principles and practices of social work, casework, sociology, and group and individual counseling, including 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 interrelate in the care and treatment of clients and the objectives of social work projects.
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 account for differences in child-rearing practices, relationships, and needs.
Ability to work with children with special needs, foster families, prospective homes, and professionals who provide appropriate services.
Ability to exercise sound judgment in crisis situations, 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.

Nice To Haves

Residency in the service area is preferred.
A degree is not required if the applicant has at least five years of human services experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role.

Responsibilities

Investigate reported incidents of child abuse, neglect, or dependency, determine whether incidents are substantiated, and make disposition recommendations to a Juvenile Court or County Director.
Assess risk of further injury or harm to children, determine whether they are in imminent danger, and remove and place children in protected environments when warranted.
Conduct needs assessments to identify treatment options for families and children reported to be abused or neglected.
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 self-sufficient in a safe, nurturing environment and to 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 their services are consistent with case plans.
Accept on-call responsibility as needed to receive and investigate child abuse or neglect allegations.
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.
Coordinate and promote independent living services for youth, assess and plan according to individual needs, attend court, maintain database documentation, and conduct outreach to local field offices regarding youth eligibility and policy timelines.

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 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave, up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers, up to 15 hours of paid community service leave, and 180 combined 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.
Eligibility as a 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.