Press Releases

Newborn Safely Handed Over at Safe Haven Facility

April 09, 2009

04.09.09 - A newborn was safely handed over to an employee at a Safe Haven facility in Southwest Louisiana earlier this month, marking the second time in just over a month that a mother has utilized the Louisiana law. It also marks the second time the law has been utilized since the Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) launched a public awareness campaign in February to educate parents about Louisiana's Safe Haven Law.

DSS to Make Key Investments to Ensure Child Safety

April 02, 2009

04.02.09 - With more than 17,000 reported child abuse cases in Louisiana each year, the Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) today kicked off Child Abuse Prevention Month by announcing key investments the agency is making focusing on safety, technology and training/workforce retention to help ensure the safety of children in the state. DSS Secretary Kristy Nichols made the announcement at the Calcasieu Parish Office of Community Services (OCS).

DSS Raises $21,000 in Campaign to Prevent Child Abuse

April 02, 2009

04.02.09 - As Prevent Child Abuse month gets underway, Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) Secretary Kristy Nichols today announced that DSS employees have raised more than $21,000 to benefit Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana (PCAL), shattering a $17,000 goal set just two week before.

Newborn Safely Handed Over at Lake Charles area Safe Haven Facility One Month After State Public Awareness Campaign

March 11, 2009

03.11.09 - One month after the Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) launched a public awareness campaign to educate new parents about Louisiana’s Safe Haven law, a mother who felt she could not care for her newborn made a safe choice early this morning when she placed her baby in the safe arms of a Lake Charles area hospital worker.

Gun Pulled on DSS Employees Reiterates Daily Danger In Protecting Children

March 06, 2009

03.06.09 - Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services Secretary Kristy Nichols said today that an incident in Morehouse Parish late this afternoon where a gun was pulled on two child protection investigators reiterates the danger they must face on a daily basis in ensuring the safety of children across our state.

DSS Launches Online Adoption Initiative

February 19, 2009

02.19.09 - Connecting Louisiana foster children with potential adoptive families is as close as the click of a mouse. Profiles of more than a dozen foster children available for adoption now appear on the main page of the Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) Web site, allowing potential adoptive parents to see a photo of the child and learn more about him or her.

DSS Launches Safe Haven Public Awareness Campaign

February 11, 2009

02.11.09 - Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) today announced a public awareness campaign, including a partnership with Lamar Advertising Co. for billboards statewide, to provide information about Louisiana’s Safe Haven Law, which allows parents to legally relinquish custody of an infant at designated locations without the threat of prosecution.

Louisiana's Safe Haven Law Designed to Keep Unwanted Newborns Safe, Parents Free from Prosecution

February 11, 2009

02.11.09 - Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) officials reminded the public today that Louisiana's Safe Haven law gives new parents a chance to provide a safe environment for their unwanted newborn at any designated emergency care facility, hopefully preventing tragic events like the abandonment of a newborn in Kenner yesterday.

DSS Provides Update on Child Residential Reform

February 05, 2009

02.05.09 - Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) Secretary Kristy Nichols today announced that significant steps have been taken over the past 90 days to reform child residential care, including the review and inspection of all 64 facilities and the formation of a task force to make recommendations on licensure standards.

DSS Antifraud System Wins National Technology Solution Award

February 04, 2009

02.04.09 - The Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) has received DM Review's 2008 Innovative Solution Award in the Business Intelligence/Analytics category for its use of mapping technology to help detect fraudulent activity in the state's Food Stamp Program.