DCFS Secretary Harris Begins Foster Care Listening Tour in Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, La. — The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) hosted the first stop of its Foster Care Community Listening Tour at the Westside Regional Library in Alexandria. The event brought together foster caregivers, families, regional leaders, and community partners.

With the Legislature currently in session and the department focused on continued improvement, the event gave families the chance to speak directly about their experiences with the foster system. Attendees were invited to discuss problems they faced and possible solutions to make the system more stable for children and families.

There is a significant need for foster homes in the Alexandria region. In 2025, the region supported 1,038 children in foster care, with an average of 273 open foster homes. Additionally, 275 children were reunified with their families and 69 adoptions were finalized. As of April 6, 2026, the region’s foster-home-to-child ratio is 0.44 to 1, underscoring the ongoing need for more foster families.

The Alexandria region is seeing the benefits of recent operational improvements, including expanded investigator coverage, faster intake response times, and a modernized Child Safety Response Center, all of which strengthen support for children and families.

“Central Louisiana has a significant need for child welfare work, and the voices we heard today reflect both the challenges and the deep commitment of this community,” said DCFS Secretary Harris. “With the Legislature in session and our agency focused on real, measurable improvement, it is essential that we listen directly to those who live this work every day. The insights shared in Alexandria will help guide the decisions we make to support families, strengthen placements, and ensure every child has the stability they deserve.”

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster caregiver or supporting children and families, please visit http://dcfs.la/lahome. You can also visit the “A Home for Every Child” Meter at http://dcfs.la/fchomes for up-to-date data on Foster Care needs in Louisiana.