Press Releases

DCFS Secretary Selected for CWLA Advisory Committee

September 12, 2014

09.12.14 - The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) announced today that Secretary Suzy Sonnier has been selected as a member of the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) Faith-Based Advisory Committee.

Drowning Dangers Still Present as Summer Season Comes to an End

August 28, 2014

08.28.14 - As families celebrate this Labor Day Weekend, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) reminds parents and caregivers that the potential risk of drowning, whether in a swimming pool or natural body of water, is still present.

DCFS Collects More than $2 Million in Arrears Through Casino Intercept Program

August 26, 2014

08.25.14 - More than $2 million in Louisiana gambling winnings have gone directly to the children of non-custodial parents who are behind on child support. As of June 2014, the Department of Children and Family Services' (DCFS) child support casino intercept program has collected $2,052,985.80 from 1,526 non-custodial parents who owed back child support.

DCFS Urges Extra Caution With Fireworks Around Children

July 03, 2014

07.03.14 - As the country celebrates Independence Day, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) reminds parents and caregivers to use extra caution with fireworks around children. Improper handling of fireworks can cause burns and eye injuries.

DCFS Announces Domestic Violence Funding

June 17, 2014

06.17.14 - The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will fund 16 domestic violence service providers across the state, including one provider that is expanding to Shreveport and Natchitoches.

Fifteen Louisiana Residents Sentenced After Fraudulently Receiving DCFS Benefits

June 09, 2014

06.09.14 - Fifteen Louisiana residents have been convicted of receiving more than $116,000 in ineligible benefits after an investigation by the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services' (DCFS) Fraud and Recovery Unit.

DCFS Executive Receives Prestigious Child Welfare Award

May 29, 2014

05.29.14 - The Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), part of the federal Department of Health and Human Services, presented Dr. Rhenda Hodnett, Child Welfare Training Academy Director, its 2014 Commissioner's Award.

DCFS, the Pelican Center and Public Universities Announce New Child Welfare Training Academy

May 05, 2014

05.05.14 - The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), in collaboration with the Pelican Center and public university schools of social work, today announced that DCFS Child Welfare Director, Dr. Rhenda Hodnett, will lead the newly created Child Welfare Training Academy.

DCFS Implements New Rule and Pursues Legislation to Clarify Authorized Uses of Cash Assistance Benefits

March 20, 2014

03.20.14 - Today, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) implemented an emergency rule to further prohibit the use of Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) and Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP) benefits at certain types of retailers that include lingerie stores, tattoo shops, nail salons and jewelry stores. FITAP and KCSP provide cash assistance to help pay only for a family's ongoing basic needs, such as food, shelter and clothing.

DCFS Announces Initial Disqualifications Stemming from SNAP EBT Outage

February 24, 2014

02.24.14 - The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has disqualified six Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who attempted to intentionally and grossly misuse taxpayer dollars by using their EBT (electronic benefit transfer) cards to make purchases that exceeded the available balance during a multi-state system failure. DCFS has started the process to disqualify an additional 25 SNAP recipients.