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Press Releases
Louisiana Job Fairs Seeks Employers and Citizens with Disabilities
September 26, 2008
09.26.08 - Local businesses looking to create a diverse workforce will have an opportunity to participate in the 2008 Louisiana Job Fair. The statewide job fairs are free to both employers and job seekers and will take place in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Houma, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans, Northshore and Shreveport during the month of October, which is National Disability Awareness Month. Citizens with disabilities are encouraged to utilize this opportunity to join Louisiana’s workforce.
DSS Announces Regular Food Stamp Recipients Receive Replacement Benefits
September 24, 2008
09.24.08 - Department of Children & Family Services Interim Secretary Kristy Nichols announced that the USDA Food and Nutrition Services has approved the issuance of replacement benefits for participants in the regular Food Stamp Program in 14 parishes. These parishes were impacted by Hurricane Ike and the benefits will allow families who receive regular food stamps to replace food lost during power outages caused by the storm. They are: Acadia, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafourche, Plaquemines, Sabine, St. Mary, Terrebonne, Vermilion and Vernon.
DSS Secretary Calls On USDA To Expedite Extra Month Of Disaster Benefits
September 24, 2008
09.24.08 - Department of Children & Family Services Interim Secretary Kristy Nichols has called on the United States Department of Agriculture to expedite DSS’ request to add a second month of benefits to the electronic benefits cards of Disaster Food Stamp recipients affected by two storms within the same benefits eligibility period.
DSS Shelter Memo
September 23, 2008
09.22.08 - At the request of Governor Jindal, the Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) has completed the first phase of an exhaustive review of the agency’s emergency sheltering plan and operations that were activated in response to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Included in the memo are short-term goals from an immediate analysis of the shortfalls during the Gustav response. DSS maintains primary responsibility for Emergency Support Function (ESF) 6, which encompasses mass care, emergency assistance, housing and human services.
Department of Children & Family Services Announces Closing Date for Disaster Food Stamp Program
September 23, 2008
09.23.08 - The Department of Children & Family Services has announced that Disaster Food Stamp application sites around the state will end operations on Monday, September 29. DSS has been accepting applications since September 9 in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav and recently added 14 parishes to the list of those eligible for this benefit meant to help families replenish food supplies lost to the storms.
Disaster Food Stamp Program Has Provided More Than $150 Million in Benefits to Louisiana Families (Corrected)
September 22, 2008
09.22.08 - The Department of Children & Family Services reported today that 434,716 eligible households have been provided federal Disaster Food Stamp Program benefits and were issued cards with $152,875,137 in benefits.
DSS Releases Initial Emergency Sheltering Improvement Plan
September 22, 2008
09.22.08 - Department of Children & Family Services Interim Secretary Kristy Nichols announced today an initial five-point plan to improve the agency’s emergency sheltering operations after a preliminary review found deficiencies in the response to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Governor Bobby Jindal requested the review in order to make immediate changes to the state’s emergency sheltering procedures.
Secretary Nichols Announces More than $105 Million in Benefits on Cards
September 19, 2008
09.19.08 - The Department of Children & Family Services reported today that 275,227 eligible households have been provided federal Disaster Food Stamp Program benefits and issued cards with more than $105 million in benefits as of 11 AM today.
DSS Interim Secretary Surveys Disaster Food Stamp Application Sites
September 19, 2008
09.19.08 - Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) Interim Secretary Kristy Nichols visited four of the eight new Disaster Food Stamp application sites today. Nichols traveled to Lake Charles, DeRidder, Jennings and Leesville to see the operations at food stamp application sites firsthand throughout the day.
DSS Prepares to Open New Disaster Food Stamp Program Sites
September 18, 2008
09.18.08 - The Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services has received approval from the USDA for approval to open Disaster Food Stamp application sites in Washington and Franklin parishes for residents impacted by Hurricane Gustav and to open sites in six new parishes due to damage from Hurricane Ike. Those additional parishes are: Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Sabine and Vernon.