Family Case Manager

State of Indiana - Lafayette, IN

Full-time - Entry Level

Remote - Lafayette, IN

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Family Case Manager plays a crucial role in the Department of Child Services, focusing on protecting children and families from abuse and neglect. This position involves working directly with families to maintain or reunify them whenever possible, and to ensure that children have a safe and permanent home. The role requires a commitment to improving the lives of children and families in Indiana, often involving challenging situations and the need for effective crisis management.

Responsibilities

• Investigate reported incidents of child abuse, neglect, or dependency and determine if the incident is substantiated.
• Assess the level of risk to the child for additional injury or harm and may remove the child from the family if necessary.
• Perform needs assessments to determine treatment options for families and children reported to be abused or neglected.
• Testify and prepare pre-dispositional and progress reports, maintaining case files and developing briefing reports for the community child protection team.
• Develop case plans to assist families and children in becoming self-sufficient in a safe environment and ensure a permanent home for the child.
• Monitor and assess service capability treatment programs and providers to ensure consistency with the case plan.
• Accept on-call responsibility to receive and investigate allegations of child abuse or neglect.
• Conduct home studies, family histories, and recommend placements for adoption to an adoption team.
• Visit children in out-of-home placements to coordinate family reunification, adoption, or independent living efforts.
• Maintain data for management to evaluate family and children needs on a trend analysis basis.

Requirements

• 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 three (3) years of human services job experience; or
• A minimum of at least four (4) years of human services job experience.
• Advanced knowledge of principles and practices of social work, casework, sociology, and group and individual counseling.
• Thorough knowledge of state and/or federal laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards affecting child protection services, foster care, family preservation, and adoption.
• Ability to investigate and interview alleged victims and perpetrators of child abuse or neglect effectively.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate reports.
• Ability to work with families of diverse cultural/ethnic backgrounds with sensitivity to differences in child-rearing practices.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in crisis management and conflict resolution.
• Knowledge of community resources and services available for families and children.
• Familiarity with child welfare policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Three 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 with bi-weekly state contribution.
• Flexible work scheduling options, including potential for hybrid remote work.
• Deferred compensation 457B account with employer match.
• Two fully-funded pension plan options.
• 150 hours of paid new parent leave.
• 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 on election years.
• Education Reimbursement Program.
• Group life insurance.
• Referral Bonus program.
• Employee assistance program for covered behavioral health visits.
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Free Parking for most positions.
• Free LinkedIn Learning access.