Family Case Manager

State of Indiana; South Bend (IN); On-site; USD 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Public employee retirement options

Paid leave and holidays

Education reimbursement

Job summary

The Family Case Manager at the Department Of Child Services in South Bend, Indiana works to protect children and support families in St. Joseph County and surrounding areas.

You will conduct home visits, develop case plans, coordinate resources, testify in court, and ensure proper documentation for agency reporting. Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in human services, with multiple pathways described in the posting, along with knowledge of social work and family

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a human services field or equivalent experience.
• Experience in human services roles across family support settings.
• Knowledge of social work principles and family services is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Investigate reported incidents of child abuse or neglect and determine disposition.
• Assess risk to the child and determine need for removal to protected environment.
• Perform needs assessments and develop treatment options for families and children.
• Prepare reports for court and agency, and develop informal adjustment plans.

Education

Bachelor's degree, or

Associate degree with two years of human services experience

30 college credits with four years human services experience

5+ years of human services experience

Job description

Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About The Department Of Child Services

Join a group of passionate, dedicated public servants to support one of Indiana's most critical missions!

The Department Of Child Services Helps Children Who Are Victims Of Abuse Or Neglect And Strengthens Families Through Services That Focus On Family Support And Preservation. We Pursue Permanency For Children And Families Through Reunification, Guardianship, And Adoption. Our Services Also Encompass Foster Care, Child Support, And Transitional Support For Those Adjusting To Adulthood. Our Culture Is Built Upon Our MVP Foundation

Mission

Champion Indiana's future by protecting children and strengthening families with compassion and determination.

Vision

Every child in Indiana thrives in a safe, loving, forever home.

Purpose

Ignite hope. Cultivate joy.

Role Overview

The Family Case Manager is a caseworker specialist in social services within a Local County Office of the Department of Child Services. You will protect families and children from abuse and neglect, maintain or reunify families whenever possible, and, when in the best interest of the child, achieve a permanent home or independent living for children unable to be reunited with their families. You will conduct home visits, develop case plans, coordinate with community resources and external providers, attend and testify at court hearings, and prepare documentation for case files, court proceedings, and agency reporting.

This position is in South Bend, Indiana, and will serve St. Joseph County, and surrounding counties as needed.

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Salary

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $47,320.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

Responsibilities Include

A Day in the Life:

• Investigate reported incidents of child abuse, neglect, or dependency, determine whether the incident is substantiated, and develop recommendations to a Juvenile Court or County Director for disposition.
• Assess the level of risk to the child for additional injury or harm, including whether the child is in imminent danger, and may remove the child from the family as the situation warrants, placing a child in a protected environment.
• Perform needs assessments to determine treatment options for families and children reported to be abused/neglected.
• Testify and prepare pre-dispositional and progress reports, maintain case files, and develop briefing reports for the community child protection team. Develops "informal adjustment" plans with families and children to divert children from the juvenile justice system.
• Develop case plans to assist families and children to become more self-sufficient in a safe and nurturing environment and to ensure a permanent home for the child.
• Develop discharge/transition programming to assist families and children to attain and maintain self-sufficiency in a safe environment.
• Monitor and assess the service capability of treatment programs and providers to ensure consistency with the case plan.
• Accept on-call responsibility as needed to receive and investigate allegations of child abuse/neglect.
• Conduct home studies and family histories and recommend placement for adoption 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.

The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

Credentials

What You'll Need for Success

• Bachelor's degree, or
• Associate degree with a minimum of two (2) years of human services job experience, or
• Completion of thirty (30) college credit hours from an accredited institution with a minimum of four (3) years of human services job experience, or
• A minimum of at least five (5) years of human services job experience.

Additional Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of principles and practices of social work, casework, sociology and group and individual counseling including new methods and theories of treatment.
• 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 the interrelationships of the various behavioral sciences as they affect care and treatment of patients/clients and/or objectives of social work projects.
• Ability to investigate and interview alleged victims and perpetrators of child abuse or neglect in an appropriate and effective manner.
• Ability to formulate and monitor project guidelines or treatment plans.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate reports.
• Ability to work with families of diverse cultural/ethnic backgrounds with sensitivity to differences in child rearing practices, relationships and need.
• Ability to work with children with special needs such as mental or emotional conditions, the foster families, or the home willing to accept those children and the professionals who can appropriately provide services to them.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment while managing crises situations including those involving confrontational, aggressive adults being investigated for child abuse or neglect.
• Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must maintain a valid driver's license.

A degree is not required. However, at least 5+ years of human services experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports

This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Benefits Of Employment With The State Of Indiana

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes a bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
• 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 time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 in election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [e-mail] .