Help us protect Louisiana's children. Report Child Abuse & Neglect: 1-855-4LA-KIDS (1-855-452-5437) toll-free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Newsroom
Press Releases
DSS Sets Record in Child Support Collections During FFY 2008
October 10, 2008
10.10.08 - The Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services set a new record by collecting more than $346 million in child support payments during the Federal Fiscal Year that ended Sept. 30.
DSS Releases Short-Term Sheltering Plan
October 09, 2008
10.09.08 - Department of Children & Family Services Interim Secretary Kristy Nichols today released the agency's short-term sheltering plan to address problems encountered during evacuation and sheltering operations in response to Hurricane Gustav.
DSS Announces Final Tallies for Disaster Food Stamp Program
October 06, 2008
10.06.08 - The Department of Children & Family Services today released final figures for the Disaster Food Stamp Program which ended last week. During the more than three week period 609,595 households were approved for DFSP benefits. That represents 1,531,738 people who received $208,474,969 in benefits as a result of hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Benefits were denied to 38,475 applicants.
Disaster Food Stamp Program to End Tomorrow
October 01, 2008
10.01.08 - The Department of Children & Family Services will end all Disaster Food Stamp operations tomorrow October 2nd. To date, DSS has processed more than 604,221 applications, providing more than $200,623,450.52 in benefits to 568,957 Electronic Benefit Transfer cards. The program, which began September 9th in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav, has served to help millions of Louisiana residents recover from losses suffered during that storm and again during Hurricane Ike just one week later.
DSS Announces Appointment of New Undersecretary
October 01, 2008
10.01.08 - Interim Secretary for the Department of Children & Family Services Kristy Nichols has appointed Ruth Johnson as Undersecretary for the Office of Management and Finance.
Governor Proclaims October as Disability Awareness Month
October 01, 2008
10.01.08 - Recognizing the importance of educating children, families and communities about disability issues, Governor Bobby Jindal has proclaimed October as Disability Awareness Month in Louisiana. Throughout the month several events, including job fairs around the state, are scheduled to recognize the abilities of citizens with special needs.
DSS Announces Regular Food Stamp Recipients Receive Cost of Living Adjustment
September 30, 2008
09.30.08 - The Department of Children & Family Services, Office of Family Support, today announced that participants in the regular Food Stamp Program will receive a raise in their benefits. Effective October 2008, eligibility and benefit amounts will increase in accordance with limits set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Thrifty Food Plan and the Gross and Net Income Limits. The Thrifty Food Plan is a federal estimate of how much it costs to provide nutritious, low-cost meals. It is adjusted annually based on food prices. Annual adjustments to the income eligibility standards are based on federal poverty levels.
DSS/OCS Receives National Recognition for LIFTS Initiatives
September 30, 2008
09.30.08 - The Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services, Office of Community Services is receiving the 2008 Kaleidoscope Award from the Family Preservation Institute for its innovative LIFTS (Leading Innovations for Family Transformation and Safety) program. OCS is the first child welfare agency in the nation to receive this national recognition.
DSS Successfully Recoups Most Duplicate Payments Made To Some Regular Food Stamp Recipients
September 30, 2008
09.30.08 - The Department of Children & Family Services has recovered $57,098 from the electronic benefit cards of 533 regular food stamp recipients in eight parishes who received duplicate benefits last week because of a computer system error.
DSS Announces Technology Partnership With Florida
September 26, 2008
09.26.08 - Department of Children & Family Services Secretary Kristy Nichols joined representatives from Florida and J.P. Morgan to announce the first ever technology partnership between two states to issue Disaster Food Stamps. Secretary Nichols approached Florida officials with the idea to create a backup to Louisiana’s system, which experienced difficulties with the high number of applications from residents affected by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. So far, more than 574,000 applications have been taken in Louisiana.