Job Description:
About This Role
As a Child Welfare Specialist (CWS), you will embark on one of the most rewarding careers imaginable—helping families and children overcome challenges and achieve stability. Working with clients referred by the Department of Child Services (DCS), you will play a critical role in supporting families as they work to overcome barriers such as trauma, abuse, neglect, or mental health challenges. Through behavioral and crisis management, communication and coping skills training, and case management, you will help families find resources and work toward permanency through adoption, reunification, or alternative plans.
This is more than a job; it’s a chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families in your community.
Why Indianapolis?
Indianapolis isn’t just the Crossroads of America—it’s a city bursting with energy, culture, and opportunity. While you make a difference in the lives of others, enjoy everything this thriving city has to offer, including:
World-Class Attractions: Visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the world-renowned Children’s Museum, or the Indianapolis Zoo.Outdoor Adventures: Take a relaxing stroll along the Canal Walk, explore White River State Park, or bike on the Monon Trail.Dynamic Arts and Culture: Immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant arts scene at the Indianapolis Museum of Art or catch a show at the Indiana Repertory Theatre.Sports Enthusiast’s Paradise: Cheer on the Colts, Pacers, Indy Eleven, or Indians—there’s always a game in town!Affordable Living: Experience a high quality of life with affordable housing and a friendly, welcoming community.Location and Hours
Based in Central Indiana, this position primarily serves Marion County.
Schedule: Monday–Friday with approximately three late afternoons/evenings per week.Flexibility: 90% of work is community-based, including in-home visits with clients.No weekends: Some paid, voluntary on-call opportunities are available.Key Responsibilities
Foster Care Maintenance:Provide ongoing support to foster families and youth in care.Skills Development:Work with youth and adults involved with DCS to enhance communication, coping, and life skills.Casework:Conduct case management services, assisting families with accessing community resources.Supervised Visitations:Monitor and support family visits to ensure safety and encourage positive interactions.Family Preservation Services:Provide intensive in-home support to help families overcome barriers and maintain stability.What We’re Looking For
Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or a related field required (Master’s degree preferred).Experience working with at-risk children and families is highly desirable.Knowledge of trauma-informed care and child welfare practices is a plus.Skills & Attributes:Strong interpersonal and communication skills.Ability to build trust and foster positive relationships with families and community partners.Flexible and resilient in navigating challenging situations.Why You’ll Love Working Here
At Adult & Child Health, we offer:
A supportive and inclusive work environment.Opportunities for professional development and career growth.The ability to make a lasting impact in the lives of children and families.
Employment Requirements:
Successful completion of background check including criminal record, driving record, abuse/neglect and fingerprint check.
Completion of New Hire Orientation at the beginning of employment.
All training requirements including Relias at the beginning of employment and annually thereafter.
Current driver’s license, acceptable driving record and current auto insurance.
Physical Requirements:
ADA Consideration - Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (exists up the 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (exists 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, or pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Repetitive movements of hands, fingers, and arms for typing and/or writing during work shift.
Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Position Perks & Benefits:
Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life
Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more
Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive
Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within
Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness
Brightli is on a Mission:
A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.
As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we value diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workforce and encourage applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. If you are passionate about empowering your local communities and promoting health equity, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization that is committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive and authentic workplace.
We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expressions, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability or veteran status, or to other non-work related factors.
Adult & Child Health is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.