What is Case Management?
Case management is a collaborative, client-centered method of locating, coordinating, and connecting people with the services they need to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. Case managers help clients by assessing their situation, developing a strategy, referring them to appropriate services, and following up with them regularly.
The goal of case management is to increase a person's sense of autonomy and well-being. Everyone — regardless of age, socioeconomic status, or other factors — can benefit from case management support when navigating personal crises, long-term health challenges, or complex social service systems.
Evidence-Based Case Management
Evidence-based case management combines the best available research on what works with practitioner expertise and client values. It means applying proven approaches — not intuition alone — to assess needs, plan interventions, coordinate services, and evaluate outcomes in ways that produce measurable, lasting results.
What Is a Case Manager and What Do They Do?
A case manager is a professional who works to ensure their clients receive the care and services they need. They help people and families identify needs, develop care plans, coordinate resources, and advocate on behalf of their clients to ensure the best possible outcomes.
- Assess clients' strengths, needs, and goals
- Develop individualised care and service plans
- Connect clients to appropriate community resources
- Coordinate across multiple service providers
- Monitor client progress and adjust plans accordingly
- Advocate for clients' rights and access to services
Case managers work across a broad range of settings — from hospitals and community health centres to child welfare agencies, criminal justice, and managed care organisations. Their overarching mission is to help clients navigate complex systems and access the care they need to improve their health, well-being, and independence.
How to Become a Case Manager
Case managers typically hold an associate's or bachelor's degree in human services, social work, psychology, or a related field. Relevant field experience is generally expected, although some agencies hire entry-level candidates directly from school with a commitment to professional development. Key steps include:
- Earn a relevant degree (human services, social work, nursing, counselling)
- Gain supervised field experience in a human services or healthcare setting
- Pursue professional certification (see below) to validate your expertise
- Commit to continuing education — the field evolves and so should your practice
The 3-Pillar Evidence-Based CM System
Joyfields Institute and EBP Society have developed a three-pillar framework for building in-house case management capacity permanently — each pillar representing a core dimension of effective, evidence-based care coordination:
CM Pathways Training — 2026 Schedule
The 3-Pillar CM Pathways program is delivered across three full-day sessions covering each pillar in depth. Available publicly and as private agency delivery.
Pillar 1: Apr 15 Pillar 2: Apr 22 Pillar 3: May 6, 2026 · $195 each / $150 each for 4+
View CM Training Dates & Pricing →The Case Management Process
Effective case management follows a structured process that is both systematic and adaptable to individual client needs. The core steps are:
How to Become a Certified Case Manager
Professional certification validates a case manager's competency and commitment to ethical practice. To earn the Certified Case Manager (CCM) credential through the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC), candidates must:
- Meet the educational and professional experience requirements
- Complete an accredited course of study in case management
- Score successfully on the CCMC's rigorous national examination
- Adhere to a strict code of ethics governing professional conduct
- Maintain certification through continuing education requirements
EBP Society Case Management Certification (CEBP)
The EBP Society's Certified Evidence-Based Practitioner (CEBP) credential — earned through the Case Management or Practitioner Masterclass — validates expertise in evidence-based case management for practitioners in health, human, social, and justice services. Self-paced, start any time.
Case Management Settings & Populations
Case management is practiced across a wide range of settings — each with its own population focus, regulatory environment, and service landscape:
What Is a Case Management Conference?
A case management conference is a structured meeting between the case manager and the client (and often their family) to review the care plan, assess progress, address emerging barriers, and adjust services. It is a central tool for keeping the case plan aligned with the client's evolving situation and goals.
In legal and court contexts, a case management conference serves a different purpose: it is a pre-trial meeting convened by a judge or neutral third party to discuss case progress, procedural matters, and potential settlements. Both parties in a lawsuit are typically required to attend.
Family Case Management
What Is Family Case Management?
Family case management is a process whereby a team of professionals works with a family to assess their strengths and needs, develop a plan of care, and connect them with services and resources. The goal is to support families in achieving their goals and improving their overall well-being.
Family case management is commonly provided through the public child welfare system, but it is also offered through private agencies and community organisations. Family case managers typically have backgrounds in social work, psychology, or counselling and receive specialised training in family systems approaches.
Is Case Management a Type of Family Therapy?
No — case management is not therapy. It is a service coordination function that may refer a child, individual, or family to therapy as one component of a broader care plan. However, many case managers take a family systems approach, recognising families as complex, interconnected units rather than isolated individuals.
This systems perspective means that addressing one family member's challenges requires understanding how the entire family unit functions — and intervening in ways that strengthen the whole.
What Does a Family Case Manager Do?
A family case manager's day-to-day tasks vary by family, but their overarching mission is consistent: help families become stable and self-sufficient. Specific responsibilities include:
- Assess family resources, strengths, and areas needing improvement
- Develop a family-centred care plan with clear, achievable goals
- Refer families to counselling, financial assistance, housing, and other supports
- Act as an advocate for families to secure necessary services
- Monitor progress and coordinate across multiple service providers
- Support family stability during periods of crisis or transition
CM Training at EBP Society
EBP Society's CM Pathways program delivers the 3-pillar evidence-based case management system through three sequential full-day sessions. Each session builds on the last — from individual engagement through family engagement practice:
| Session | Topic | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pillar 1 | Core Skills for Individual Engagement & Motivation | Apr 15, 2026 | Full Day Online |
| Pillar 2 | Strength-Centered Approaches for Coordinating Care & Resources | Apr 22, 2026 | Full Day Online |
| Pillar 3 | Effective Family Engagement Practice in Community | May 6, 2026 | Full Day Online |
Pricing: $195 each / $150 each for groups of 4+. Bundle pricing available for all three pillars. Private delivery available for agencies — request a quote here.