Caseworker

Family Focus Inc; Valparaiso (IN); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Family Focus Inc. is seeking a Caseworker to deliver trauma-informed, intensive home-based case management for families involved with DCS and juvenile probation. You will assess needs, coordinate services, and support parents to meet parenting and homemaking responsibilities.

This role requires regular field presence across LaPorte and Porter counties and surrounding areas, with strong documentation, advocacy, and collaboration with case managers, probation officers, CASA, and service providers.

Qualifications

• Active listening, critical thinking, and decision making to assess client needs.
• Strong interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills.
• Ability to provide person-centered services and collaborate with partners.
• Computer literacy and basic office equipment proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Complete risk assessments, safety checks, and case planning with families and referrals.
• Provide trauma-informed home-based case management to families and coordinate services.
• Maintain weekly case management and documentation in accordance with standards.
• Conduct in-field visits across LaPorte, Porter counties and surroundings.

Skills

Active listening

Critical thinking

Decision making

Interpersonal communication

Written and verbal communication

Computer literacy

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or related mental health field

Or 4 years of experience in human services

Job description

Family Focus Inc. is looking to add to its team of Caseworkers. This role is responsible for provision of trauma informed intensive home-based case management services for families involved with DCS, juvenile probation, and/or those in need of services. Provides assistance and support for parents who are unable to appropriately fulfill parenting and/or homemaking roles. Completes screening and assessments of new clients and coordinates with appropriate service providers. Maintains open communication with Family Case Managers, Probation officers, CASA, etc. Provides (at least) weekly case management for families engaging in services. Provides goal-oriented, services in the natural environment of families who need intervention for physical, sexual, emotional abuse, and/or neglect. Secondary issues could include substance abuse, mental illness, behavioral problems, developmental disability, or other family dysfunctions. This position requires regular presence in the field to cover areas of LaPorte County, Porter County, and other surrounding areas.

Principal Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the direction of Supervisor/Manager of Clinical Services, complete risk assessments, safety checks, case planning and management, family assessment, and participate in case closure/discharge in coordination with Indiana Department of Child Services, Probation, or other referral source/team members.
• Provide services in families natural environment, assist with transportation arrangements/client transportation, assists families to connect to community resources, and crisis intervention in congruence with the Family Goals
• Provide individual and/or family skills building through advocacy, parent education, and role-modeling new, appropriate skills for coping. Parent Education and Homebased casework includes all areas covered within current and active DCS service standards. Provide testimony, reports, and/or court appearances (including hearings or appeals) as requested by Indiana Department of Child Services, Probation, or other referral sources.
• Provides focused, high-quality services that are family-centered, and build on the strengths of families. Services are trauma informed and culturally competent.
• Provides coordination and oversight of supervised visitations as directed in case plan goals.
• Prepares timely reports and documentation as required by the service standards of the requesting referral source.
• Maintains ongoing observation and assessment of progress on treatment goals.
• Consistently demonstrates open communication and timely responses to emails and voice messages as per policy with office staff, supervisors/managers, and referral sources.
• Provides services at times convenient for or necessary to the family’s needs and availability.
• Responds to emergency/crisis intervention for clients 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, by carrying and responding to emergency cell phone calls, voice mails and emails per policy.
• Consistently available to meet face-to-face with clients within their own caseloads or by providing coverage, for the minimum time defined for full time and part time status.
• Always conducts self in a professional manner, including refraining from conflict-of-interest activities, maintaining nondiscrimination policies in all areas of practice, regardless of race, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status, and practicing appropriate boundaries.
• Abides by confidentiality and HIPAA policies and procedures.
• Attends requires supervisions, trainings/program meetings and other meetings as required.

Additional Job Duties

• Performs other duties as assigned by the Supervisor, Manager of Clinical Services, or Director
• During busy times, staff may be asked to work overtime.
• Follows State laws and organizational policies/procedures regarding proper use of car seats, transporting children, and refrains from distracted driving.

Requirements

Job Requirements

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or a related mental health field, Or a minimum of 4 years of experience in the human services field.

Experience/Knowledge

• Active listening, critical thinking, and decision making to understand the needs of their clients so you can collaborate on a plan of action.
• Strong interpersonal skills are essential.
• Provide person centered services to all clients.
• Good written and verbal communication to interface with government organizations, courts/probation officers and essential services
• Computer experience with word processing applications required. Must be capable of operating basic office equipment, i.e., computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, etc.
• Problem solving to improve the well-being of their clients through advocacy.

Other Requirements

• Per grant requirements all employees must pass the following background checks: Finger Print Based- National Criminal History (includes Indiana State Juvenile History) background check:

1. Indiana State Limited Criminal check
2. Sex and Violent Offender Registry check
3. Local Police/Sheriff records check
4. Child Protective Services History check

• Physical examination
• Drug Screen (pre hire and randomly)
• Maintain Customer service standards at all times including while functioning under pressure
• Ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate
• Must have the ability to drive an automobile.
• Responsible for consistently protecting confidentiality of all clients, employees, and agency records

Vehicle Requirements

• Reliable transportation and valid Indiana driver's license
• Proof of automobile insurance of a combined single limit of $300,000 split limit bodily injury of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per occurrence, and property damage of $25,000
• A clear driving record which indicates an unrestricted driver's license with no more than three (3) seat belt violations in 12 months, or no more than 3 moving violations in the past 12 months and no DUI's/DWI's within the past 24 months and no major violations, (i.e., those which assign six (6) or more points with the State Motor Vehicle Record Office within three (3) years prior to date of hire or date of records check.

Work Environment

• May work varying/flexible shifts which may exceed eight (8) hours and which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• On call 24 hours a day/ 7 days per week
• May work within client's home; may be exposed to alternate living conditions, extreme temperatures, poor ventilation, infectious diseases, disoriented or agitated clients who need to be calmed.
• May be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, extreme cold, or extreme heat
• May be required to drive in various weather conditions
• May be exposed to various noise levels
• Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds, bend, stoop, sit for periods of time, and stair climbing.