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Press Releases
Newborn safely relinquished through Safe Haven law
May 07, 2010
05.07.10 - The Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) announced today that a female newborn was successfully and safely relinquished through Louisiana's Safe Haven law last month at a New Orleans area hospital. The baby is the twelfth child relinquished in the state utilizing the Safe Haven law since 2004.
DSS and Second Harvest Request $250,000 for Immediate Food Assistance for Impacted Families, BP Partially Funds
May 06, 2010
05.06.10 - In response to a letter sent Wednesday from the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services and Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana, BP provided a $100,000 check today to Second Harvest to support food assistance for families in St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes impacted by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
DSS Encourages Louisianians to Donate Food to Area Food Banks
May 04, 2010
05.04.10 - The Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services today is encouraging Louisianians to donate canned and non-perishable food items to area food banks, who will help distribute the items to fishermen, families and others who find themselves in need.
DSS Encourages Those Impacted To Apply for Regular SNAP Benefits
May 02, 2010
05.01.10 - The Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) today reminded individuals that have been financially impacted by the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico that they could be eligible for the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps.
DSS launches system to track time children spend in day care
April 30, 2010
04.30.10 - The Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services today announced that it will implement a new system to track the time children enrolled in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) spend with a child care provider. Tracking of Time Services (TOTS) is an electronic time and attendance process that is expected to help keep children safe, cut down on fraud and provide efficient and more accurate payments to child care facilities.
DSS Announces New Model for Service Delivery
April 16, 2010
04.16.10 - Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) Secretary Kristy Nichols today announced a plan to implement a new model of service delivery, which will no longer require clients to visit a physical office location to apply or receive information about DSS services.
Department of Children & Family Services' Safe Haven Campaign Wins Bronze Telly Award
April 16, 2010
04.16.10 - A public service campaign television spot produced by the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) to spread awareness of Louisiana's Safe Haven law has been awarded a national bronze 2010 Telly Award, the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs.
Legislative Package Aims to Reorganize DSS, Improve Services and Increase Child Support Collections
April 05, 2010
04.05.10 - Reorganization, service delivery improvements and increased child support collections are the main focus of 15 bills that make up the Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) Legislative Package, which Louisiana lawmakers will consider during the 2010 legislative session.
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.