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 in Indiana.
About the Department of Child Services The department protects children who are victims of abuse or neglect and strengthens families through services focused on family support and preservation. We pursue permanency for children and families through reunification, guardianship, and adoption, and we provide foster care, child support, and transitional services for those moving into adulthood. 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 As the Family Case Manager, you will work as a caseworker specialist in social services within a local county office or the central office of the Department of Children Services. In this position, 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, secure a permanent home or independent living for children unable to be reunited with their families. This position is located in South Bend, Indiana and serves St. Joseph County.
Salary : $47,320.00 per year, commensurate with education or experience. Responsibilities 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.
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.
Develop “informal adjustment” plans with families and children to divert children from the juvenile justice system.
Create 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.
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.
Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in a related field; or associate degree with a minimum of two (2) years of human services experience; or completion of thirty (30) college credit hours with a minimum of three (3) years of human services experience; or at least four (4) years of human services experience.
Additional Qualifications Advanced knowledge of principles and practices of social work, casework, sociology, and 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 coordinate work among related social services programs.
Skill in investigating and interviewing alleged victims and perpetrators of child abuse or neglect.
Experience formulating and monitoring project guidelines or treatment plans.
Strong written report‑making skills.
Capacity to work with families and children of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds with sensitivity.
Ability to handle children with special needs and to manage crisis situations involving aggressive adults under investigation.
Valid driver's license.
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) plus vision and dental plans.
Wellness Rewards Program.
Health savings account with bi‑weekly state contribution.
Deferred compensation 457(b) plan with employer match.
Two (2) fully‑funded pension plan options.
Paid 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 hours of combined paid vacation, personal, and sick leave.
12 paid holidays and 14 in election years.
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.
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, please contact the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
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