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DSS Secretary Holds Successful Open Line Meeting

March 25, 2010

03.25.10 - A virtual meeting to connect DSS employees and stakeholders with Secretary Kristy Nichols is now available to be viewed online. During the meeting, Nichols discussed changes underway for DSS, including the agency reorganization, the legislative session that starts Monday and the DSS budget. Nichols also fielded real time questions from staff and stakeholders.

Parent Arrested After Dog Attacks Foster Care Worker

March 23, 2010

03.23.10 - Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) Secretary Kristy Nichols said today that the parent of a foster child was arrested following an incident in Ouachita Parish yesterday in which a foster care worker sustained multiple injuries after being attacked by a dog during a visit to the parent's home. Nichols said this incident underscores the dangers workers face on a daily basis in ensuring the safety of children across our state and encouraged local law enforcement to prosecute the incident using a law passed in 2005 that protects child welfare workers.

DSS Extends Nominations for Fellowship Program Until February 17

February 04, 2010

02.04.10 - Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) Secretary Kristy Nichols today announced an extension until February 17 for nominations to be submitted for the second class of the agency's Innovation in Louisiana Government Fellowship, designed to develop leadership and foster innovation in social service delivery.

DSS Sets Record for Second Year in Row for Child Support Collections

January 29, 2010

01.29.10 - The Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) set a record for the second year in a row when it comes to collecting child support payments -- more than $354 million for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2009, which is up from more than $346 million collected in FFY 2008.

DSS Continues to Implement Streamlining Recommendations

January 14, 2010

01.14.10 - Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) Secretary Kristy Nichols today said that DSS is continuing to take steps to implement recommendations by the Commission on Streamlining Government designed to streamline the agency, produce cost savings and increase efficiencies.

DSS Issues Emergency Rules to Ensure Safety of Children

December 30, 2009

12.30.09 - As part of its continued efforts to ensure the safety of children, the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) announced that a set of emergency rules allowing the State Central Registry to be used to screen employees and potential employees of the agency and DSS-licensed facilities will go into effect on January 1, 2010. The State Central Registry is a database maintained by DSS of all investigations of child abuse and neglect.

DSS Announces Mid-Year Budget Reductions

December 28, 2009

12.28.09 - The Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services today, in response to Executive Order BJ 2009-21, announced that it was reducing its spending of state general funds by $14.1 million, while at the same time ensuring that certain core areas - such as ensuring children are safe - will be protected from budget reductions.

RESCHEDULED: DSS Best Practices December Web Cast Postponed to January

December 08, 2009

12.08.09 - The Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) Web cast originally scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, December 9, has been rescheduled until January. The speaker, Dr. Katherine Magnuson, is unable to participate in tomorrow's presentation because of severe weather in the Midwest.

Two Plead Guilty, Sentenced in Food Stamp Fraud Cases

December 07, 2009

12.07.09 - The Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) announced today that two Louisiana residents have been sentenced after pleading guilty to illegally obtaining thousands of dollars in food stamp assistance benefits by concealing household income and providing false application information.

DSS to Host Monthly Web Cast Wednesday, December 9

December 03, 2009

12.03.09 - The Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) will host a Web cast Wednesday, December 9, focused on Best Practices in Early Childhood Programs. It is the fourth in a series of monthly Web casts and part of the agency's efforts to foster leadership and innovation in social service delivery, increase savings and efficiencies and improve client outcomes.