Case Manager

Position Summary

The Community Partners Case Manager will report directly to the Community Partners Supervisor and provide the following service lines: Community Partners for Safe Families. The Community Partners Case Manager works independently in the field providing home-based and community-based services to families referred to Iris from the Department of Child Services, self-referrals, and other community sources. This role requires a high level of professional judgment, discretion, and decision-making as the Case Manager navigates unique family dynamics, assesses needs, and develops individualized service plans. Each family served presents different circumstances, requiring the Case Manager to adapt their approach, manage crises, and make sound decisions in real time. The Case Manager conducts home visits, intakes, assessments, and provides ongoing case management to gather critical information, identify strengths and risks, and coordinate supportive services. The Community Partners Case Manger will work alongside the family to provide services that support family stabilization and child safety. Evidence-based practices will be utilized to provide trauma-informed community-based, and home-based services. Case Managers maintain an ongoing caseload of active families providing weekly services as well as engaging new families with screening and assessments and coordinating with service providers.

While supervision and team support are available, the Case Manager primarily works solo throughout the day, managing their schedule, prioritizing needs, and ensuring that families receive consistent, high-quality support to promote safety, stability, and well-being.

Job Description

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

• Successfully deliver services to referred families.
• Maintain caseload as assigned to meet productivity requirements, which includes assessment and ongoing case management work.
• Conduct creative and persistent outreach to enroll clients into services (including, but not limited to, face-to-face visits, drop-byes, phone calls/texts, social media).
• Provide intake and assessment of all families on case load within required timelines and use program database and agency equipment to complete documentation and other job duties.
• Visit individuals in homes and provide information on agency services and connect families to supportive services for their needs to prevent child abuse and neglect.
• Complete case notes in a detailed, yet succinct, finished format.
• Complete scheduled appointments within the parameters of the specific program involved.
• Establish an emotionally supportive, non-judgmental, trusting relationship with parent(s), using independent judgment and adjusting as needed.
• Assist clients with achieving goals and objectives set forth in case plan within time frame established. and coordinate hand off visits with partner agencies if applicable.
• Serve as client advocate and respect all agency and program confidentiality policies.
• Independently establish a case plan with goals, objectives and activities with each client, reviewing and rewriting, as well as setting new goals as circumstances change. This case plan will incorporate the needs identified by the referral source as well as the needs identified by the staff and the client. This case plan will guide services.
• Exercise discretion and judgment in identifying plans of action to achieve goals and objectives, including day-to-day direct contact with clients, government entities, other agencies, and courts.
• Advocate on behalf of the client and link the family to additional community resources and services.
• Complete all required paperwork in various databases within established format and deadlines.
• Work within an environment of frequently changing priorities, deadlines and duties.
• Provide client transportation as necessary to complete goals of the program and client case plan.
• Assist with crisis assistance as needed, such as hands-on lice treatments.
• Teach and role model parenting techniques to the family using approved methods and materials.
• Teach home management, financial management, childcare, discipline, nutrition and personal skills as appropriate.
• Report any case that may involve “imminent harm” or “threatened harm” to a supervisor immediately.
• Attend 8 to 12 in-service training sessions per year.
• Meet with supervisor for supervision as required by service standards, department requirements and “best practices” of supervision.
• Attend court hearings, case conferences, team meetings, department meetings, and other meetings as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Approximately 40% travel is expected for this position. Must be able to travel within all counties in the assigned region: Allen, Whitley, Noble, LaGrange, Steuben, and DeKalb counties.

Other Duties

Performs other duties as assigned

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications (core competencies, Skills and Experience)

• Communication (Verbal/Written)
• Relationship Rapport Building / Engage Clients
• Ethical Practice
• Trauma Informed Approach
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Resiliency
• Continuous Learning
• Personal Accountability
• Problem-solving
• Demonstrates maturity
• Must have reliable daily dependable transportation to use on the job and transport others. Operator of vehicle must have valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, per agency requirements.
• Time management/ Prioritization
• Initiative
• Develop rapport and a trusting relationship with clients while being supportive, strengths-based, and sensitive to needs of families in crisis; understanding individual differences in ability, learning, and personalities
• Demonstrate motivation and ability to learn the dynamics of child abuse and neglect.
• Demonstrate motivation and ability to work with professionals involved in working on behalf of clients.
• Understanding of and empathy for clients served, including those of different cultures, races, ethnic identities and special needs.

Physical Demand

• Climb and maneuver steps in narrow hallways and in small rooms
• Tolerate strong odors
• Lift and physically manipulate up to 60 pounds
• Read printed material in poorly lighted areas
• Operate video, telephone, and other common standard office equipment
• Discern and evaluate sounds, interactions, and movements in multiple situations in order to determine the potential for child abuse and neglect
• Use senses of sight, hearing, and smell to evaluate the safety of the environment for children
• Operate and transport others in a motor vehicle
• Ability to respond rapidly to rescue a child
• Communicate and teach parents and children of varying intellectual capabilities and languages
• May be subjected to infectious diseases, substances, and contaminated articles physically out of the control of the children supervised
• Environment may require safety precautions such as being in homes with animals, pests or other exposures to safety.
• Sit for extended periods of time.

Travel

Travel is expected for this position, including daily travel within the region assigned to complete client visits and occasional travel within the state for required trainings and meetings. The assigned region includes Allen, Whitley, DeKalb, Noble, Steuben and LaGrange Counties.

Expected Hours of Work

• Some flexibility in hours is allowed, but the employee must be available between the "core" work hours of 8a.m. to 8p.m. Mon- Fri with occasional weekends to meet program and agency needs.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Education or directly related field preferred.
• One year of full-time experience in home management, home maintenance, and/or child-care.
• Experience working with families/parents/children in a human service organization a preference.
• Life or job experience caring for children.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Coverage: Health, dental, and vision insurance keep you covered.
• Life & Disability Insurance: Provided by Iris for your peace of mind.
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA): Take control of your health expenses.
• Wellness Program & Activity Tracker Reimbursement: Stay healthy and motivated.
• Team-Centered Environment: Supportive and collaborative.
• Generous Paid Time Off & Flexibility: Balance work and life effortlessly.
• 403b Retirement Plan + 3% Match: Secure your financial future.
• Paid Holidays & Floating Holiday: Celebrate and relax when it suits you.
• Mileage Reimbursement: Ease your commute and travel expenses.
• Professional Development Assistance: Grow with us.
• Training & CEU Opportunities: Stay ahead in your field.
• Company-Issued Tech: Stay connected and productive.

EEO Statement

Iris Family Support Center is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer