DCFS Hosts Annual Adoption Celebration at Capitol Park Museum

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services hosted its 26^th annual Adoption Celebration on December 12, 2024, honoring the 471 families who adopted 608 children and youth from foster care this past year. The afternoon’s festivities included refreshments, games and a visit from Santa.

“In each of the 608 adoptions that took place in Louisiana this year, we see hope, we see love, and we see a community that uplifts our most precious gifts— our children. I am extremely grateful to each of the families who opened their hearts and homes to provide a better life for children across our state,” said Governor Jeff Landry. “I also want to thank Secretary Matlock and his team for their incredible work throughout the year. This Administration is committed to continuing to find ways to uplift and support the children and families that make up Louisiana.”

“Every child deserves a loving, permanent home," said DCFS Secretary David Matlock. “These adoptions represent more than just numbers—they are stories of hope, resilience, and the incredible commitment of Louisiana families. Our dedicated DCFS team and our amazing community partners, including Louisiana Heart Gallery, work tirelessly to connect children with loving families, and today we celebrate each child's journey to finding their forever home.”

Adoption Highlights

The 608 children finding permanency this year include:

• Three adoptions from the Extended Foster Care program for young adults ages 18-21
• 36 adoptions (6% of total) involving youth ages 13-17
• 288 siblings adopted together by 164 families

Twenty-two of this year’s adoptions were completed with the help of Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiters, specialized adoption workers assigned to take on some of the most challenging and complex cases, through a partnership with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Louisiana has nine Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiters, including one who works within the Extended Foster Care program.

Adoption Awards

This year’s Adoption Award winners, announced during Thursday afternoon’s celebration, include:

DCFS Adoptive Parent of the Year:  Dale Landan, Alexandria Region

Dale has been interested in fostering and adoption since he was in his mid-20s, but wanted to wait until the time was right. After completing his foster care certification, Dale received his first placement in 2021. Since that time, he had three adopted sons with whom he enjoys camping, fishing, and ATV riding.

Dale believes that, while there are many reasons to get involved in foster care, for him it is about helping children through difficult times and giving them a place to belong.

Community Partner of the Year:  First West Church, Monroe Region

First West Church in West Monroe, led by Senior Pastor Michael Wood, has supported foster families for many years. Through their Foster Care Ministry, they provide meeting space for foster caregiver orientation trainings, support groups, and DCFS staff trainings.

This year the church became the community partner and host of the Monroe Foster Care Community Collaborative, which brings together community partners, foster caregivers and DCFS staff to learn about the needs of the local fostering community and how organizations in the region can support them. First West also provides care packages for foster families when they welcome a new child into their home and gives foster families vouchers to use in their community thrift store.

Each year, First West holds a Foster Care/Adoption Sunday for the congregation to highlight the need for foster caregivers. This year, they recorded a promotional video for use by other churches that want to encourage support for foster care.

Adoption Specialist of the Year:  Brienne Zagar Thibodeaux, Lafayette Region

Brienne Zagar Thibodeaux has been with DCFS for 17 years and has served as an adoption specialist for the past 10 years. Her diligent efforts to provide permanency for children in foster care have led to more than 200 adoptions throughout the years, including 38 this past year.

Brienne works tirelessly to ensure siblings remain together and maintain meaningful connections after adoptions. She has made a lasting impression on the families she’s worked with through her empathy, kindness, integrity, and professionalism.

Adoption Region of the Year:  Lafayette Region

The Lafayette Region’s five full-time adoption specialists finalized 117 adoptions this past year, an average of 23 adoptions per specialist. Of those, more than 60 percent were finalized in less than 24 months, meeting the national standard.

For more information about adoption from foster care, visit www.dcfs.la.gov/adopt.