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Former Owner of Ferriday Child Care Center Sentenced for Fraud in Federal Court
November 05, 2009
11.05.09 - A former child care center owner was sentenced today to 37 months in prison followed by three years of supervised probation for committing mail fraud after defrauding the Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Pamela Gorden, the former owner and operator of Gorden’s Daycare and Learning Center in Ferriday, was also ordered by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell to pay full restitution of $220,697 to DSS. Gorden will report to a designated federal prison in December.
DSS Provides Update on Child Care Licensing Reform
November 03, 2009
11.03.09 - As part of the child care licensing reform efforts announced in September, Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) Secretary Kristy Nichols today announced that an initial 90-day assessment of a select number of child care centers has been completed and has resulted in the revocation of 12 operating licenses. Each of the 12 child care centers either previously had the license revoked and a new license issued or had deficiencies on record that raised risk or safety concerns.
DSS Provides Update on Internal Disaster Food Stamp Fraud
October 30, 2009
10.30.09 - The Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) announced today that the agency has recovered more than 60 percent of identified losses due to employee fraud in the Disaster Food Stamp Program after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Of the 1,330 employee cases reviewed, 319 were deemed eligible for the program, with another 937 cases ruled inadvertent household or administrative error. DSS Secretary Kristy Nichols said the agency has only 11 cases left to review.
Louisianians with Disabilities in Houma Area Can Connect with Employers at Job Fair Thursday
October 28, 2009
10.28.09 - Louisianians with disabilities who are seeking jobs in the Houma area will have a chance to meet with potential employers on Thursday. The final stop of the 2009 Louisiana Job Fairs is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Evergreen Cajun Center at 4695 West Main Street.
New Orleans Stop of 2009 Louisiana Job Fairs Slated for Tuesday
October 19, 2009
10.19.09 - As part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Department of Social Services will host the New Orleans stop of the 2009 Louisiana Job Fairs on Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 9am - noon at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Avenue in Metairie. The job fairs are aimed to help move job ready citizens with disabilities toward greater self-sufficiency by connecting them with the business community
DSS to host second monthly Web Cast Wednesday, October 7
October 02, 2009
10.02.09 - The Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) will host a Web cast Wednesday, October 7, focused on best practices in the development of a coordinated system of care for children served in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. It is the second in a series of monthly Web casts and part of the agency's efforts to foster leadership and innovation in social service delivery, increase savings and efficiencies and improve client outcomes.
DSS Awarded $1.2 Million Grant for Adoption Program Achievements
October 02, 2009
10.02.09 - The Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) has been awarded more than $1.2 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for exceeding past years' efforts to move the state's foster children into permanent adoptive homes.
USDA Awards DSS $1.8 million Bonus for Application Processing Rate
October 02, 2009
10.02.09 - he Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services is one of six states to receive a bonus award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for having the best application processing times in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps.
DSS Announces Appointment of Assistant Secretary of Office of Family Support
September 30, 2009
09.30.09 - Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) Secretary Kristy Nichols today announced that Deidria Bolden has been appointed assistant secretary of the Office of Family Support (OFS) bringing to the agency broad experience in helping people reach self-sufficiency, including working in the program areas of food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, child support enforcement and providing workforce training and education to increase employment opportunities. Bolden will assume the post of OFS Assistant Secretary on October 12.
Job fairs for job-ready citizens with disabilities planned for nine Louisiana cities
September 30, 2009
09.30.09 - The Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) is hosting nine job fairs across the state in October to help move job-ready citizens with disabilities toward greater self-sufficiency by connecting them with the business community.