Foster Care Case Manager

About the role

The Foster Care Case Manager role supports Indiana’s mission to protect children and strengthen families. This position works primarily from Kokomo, Indiana, serving Howard County and surrounding areas. The role involves investigating child abuse and neglect cases, supporting families, and licensing foster families.

Responsibilities

• Investigate reported incidents of child abuse, neglect, or dependency, and develop recommendations for disposition.
• Assess the risk to children and remove them from families if necessary, placing them in protective environments.
• Conduct needs assessments and develop treatment options for families and children.
• Prepare and present reports and maintain case files for community child protection teams.
• Create “informal adjustment” plans to keep children out of the juvenile justice system.
• Develop case plans to help families and children become self-sufficient and secure a permanent home for the child.
• Monitor and assess service providers to ensure they meet case plans.
• Accept on-call responsibility to respond to allegations of child abuse or neglect.
• Conduct home studies and family histories to recommend foster placements.
• Maintain data to evaluate trends in family and child needs.
• Support prospective foster and kinship caregivers through the licensing process.
• Provide ongoing support, training, and monitoring for licensed foster homes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or Associate degree with 2 years of human services experience, or
• Completion of 30 college credit hours and 4 years of human services experience, or
• A minimum of 5 years of human services experience.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of social work, casework, sociology, and group and individual counseling.
• Thorough knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards affecting child protection services, foster care, family preservation, and adoption.
• Specialized knowledge of interrelationships between behavioral sciences and care/treatment of patients/clients.
• Ability to investigate and interview alleged victims and perpetrators of child abuse or neglect.
• 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.
• Ability to work with children with special needs and professionals providing services.
• Sound judgment and crisis management skills.
• Valid driver’s license.

Skills

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks.
• Proficient in computer software relevant to the job.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental plans.
• Wellness rewards program.
• Health savings account.
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account.
• Two fully-funded pension plans.
• Leave policies including paid parental leave and community service leave.
• Group life insurance.
• Free parking for most positions.
• Free LinkedIn Learning access.

Pay

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

Schedule

This role works primarily from Kokomo, Indiana, and may occasionally travel to other counties within Indiana as needed.