Child Welfare Caseworker - CARE House

Under supervision and utilizing a team approach, provides direct casework services to children, birth families, kinship caregivers, foster families, and community providers in situations involving abuse, neglect, dependency, risk to harm, and/or families in need of services. Positions in this classification will play an active role in investigations, assessing child risk and safety, and/or providing ongoing, direct casework services to ensure the well‑being and permanency of children.

Employees will exercise independent judgement within established policies, procedures, and legal guidelines. Work will include direct interactions and face‑to‑face contact with children, families, caregivers, and/or community partners, often in complex and high‑risk situations. Caseworkers are responsible for developing and implementing service plans, coordinating resources, and monitoring progress towards safety and permanency goals. Work is performed in a combination of office and field settings and is subject to strict, regulatory, legal, and documentation requirements.

• Maintains accurate case records, documentation, reports, and data entry in SACWIS or other required systems.
• Attends court hearings, meetings, case conferences, trainings, and other required proceedings.
• Collaborates with internal staff, community partners, service providers, schools, courts, medical professionals, and other stakeholders.
• Assesses client, child, family, placement, or service needs and coordinates appropriate services or referrals.
• Communicates regularly with families, caregivers, providers, and agency personnel regarding case progress and needs.
• Supports child safety, permanency, placement stability, and well‑being.
• Ensures compliance with agency policy, state regulations, and applicable procedures.

• Serves in a co‑located role at CARE House under Dayton Children’s Hospital.
• Attends weekly multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Observes forensic interviews.
• Collaborates daily and shares cases with the multidisciplinary team.
• Attends case huddles, briefings, law enforcement interviews, and criminal court proceedings as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required and assigned.

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Education, or related field; OR alternative, equivalent evidence of the Minimum Class Requirements.

Master’s Degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Education, or related field. Preference given to candidates with field placements or volunteer experience involving casework responsibility with families and children; OR Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Education, or related field and at least two (2) years of related experience preferably in Child Welfare; OR alternative, equivalent evidence of the Minimum Class Requirements.

Master’s Degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Education, or closely related field with two (2) years of experience in Child Welfare, OR Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Education, or closely related field plus five (5) years of Social Work experience in Child Welfare; OR alternative, equivalent evidence of the Minimum Class Requirements.

Must maintain a current, valid United States driver’s license with an acceptable driving record and proof of valid auto insurance.

First Aid, Defensive Driving, Car Seat Installation & Safety