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Press Releases
State Launches Efforts to Extend Foster Care to Age 21
August 03, 2018
08.03.18 - Gov. John Bel Edwards joined DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters, legislative leaders, former foster youth and child advocates today in launching efforts to extend foster care in Louisiana through age 21.
DCFS Encourages Faith, Business, Community Groups to Join the Growing 'Louisiana Fosters' Movement
May 24, 2018
05.24.18 - As National Foster Care Month comes to an end, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is urging more faith, business and community groups to join the growing Louisiana Fosters movement by supporting the state's foster care system.
DCFS Launches New Foster Parent Recruitment Campaign during Foster Care Month
May 15, 2018
05.15.18 - The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is marking National Foster Care Month, celebrated annually in May, with the official launch of a new foster parent recruitment campaign.
DCFS Report Shows 77 Percent Increase in Juvenile Human Trafficking Victims Identified in 2017
February 28, 2018
02.28.18 - A 2018 report on human trafficking, including trafficking of children for sexual purposes and commercial sexual exploitation, showed a 77 percent increase in juvenile victims identified over the past year, including more than three times as many victims age 12 and younger, compared to 2016.
Louisiana's Embrace of Quality Parenting and its Promise for Foster Children Focus of National Conference
January 16, 2018
01.16.18 - Louisiana's embrace of the Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI), and the fundamental shift it brings to the state's foster care system, will be featured at the QPI National Conference in New Orleans this week.
Federal Cost of Living Adjustment Will Affect SNAP and Other Benefits Received Through DCFS
December 28, 2017
12.28.2017 - A federal cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to Social Security and veterans benefits for 2018 will result in decreases to some Louisiana residents' Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, also known as food stamps, as well as benefits through the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) and Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP).
DCFS Celebrates Adoption Month with Annual Reception at Governor's Mansion
November 16, 2017
11.16.2017 - More Louisiana families took in multiple foster children or siblings, and more adopted their kin, leading to another record-setting year for adoptions from foster care.
DCFS Celebrates November as Adoption Awareness Month
November 01, 2017
11.1.2017 - DCFS and community partners will host events throughout the state during November to raise awareness about adoption and celebrate another record-setting year for the number of foster children who found permanent homes.
DCFS Launches Online 'Safe Haven' Facility Locator
October 16, 2017
10.16.2017 - In an effort to prevent infant abandonment and save lives, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) launched an online mapping tool designed to help the public locate hospitals, fire stations and other facilities where they can legally relinquish a newborn under Louisiana's Safe Haven law.
Federal Adjustments to Impact SNAP Benefits, beginning October 1
September 28, 2017
9.28.2017 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) new cost-of-living adjustments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that go into effect on Oct. 1 will mean a reduction of benefits for most Louisiana families, while allowing others on the cusp of eligibility to begin receiving assistance.