DCFS Privacy Policy

Published: April 12, 2023

Important Note

This policy applies solely to the direct use of dcfs.la.gov.

The primary function of this website is to provide the residents, partners and local government entities of Louisiana with information and direct links to the public services offered by the Department of Children and Family Services (‘DCFS”).

As you navigate dcfs.la.gov you will see links that, when clicked, take you directly to resources or websites hosted outside of the dcfs.la.gov website. These resources or websites will have their own individual privacy policies.

This privacy statement applies to:

• Information we collect about you
• How we use the information we collect
• Choices you have about how we collect and use your information

This privacy statement does not apply to:

• Privacy practices for activities done outside your use of this Site/Application
• Websites other than this website
• Applications other than this application
• Products and services not available or enabled through the Site/Application

Even though data privacy and information security are critical priorities for every Louisiana state agency, we still strongly recommend you read the site policies for each site you visit.

Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act

Children younger than 13 are not eligible to use services that require submission of personal information and should not submit any personal information to dcfs.la.gov. If you are a child younger than 13, you can use these services only if used together with your parents or guardians. Seek guidance from your parents or guardians if you are younger than 13.

Collection of Information

The dcfs.la.gov website collects information by the following processes:

• Information We Collect Automatically
• Google Analytics
  • Provides us with how and when you linked to dcfs.la.gov; searches you initiated; and things you clicked on
  • Provides us with your IP address; the type of browser and operating system you used; and the pages you requested and visited
  • Cookies
    • When you visit or interact with dcfs.la.gov, we or our authorized service providers use persistent cookies solely to provide you with a better, faster and safer experience.
  • Opt-out of cookies and Adobe Analytics
    • If you do not want your browser to accept cookies, you can change the cookie option in your browser settings. Some Site features or services may not work or be accessible without cookies. To learn more about Adobe Analytics tracking cookies, read Use of cookies and similar technologies. To learn about opting out, read Adobe Privacy Choices.
• Security Monitoring
• All state systems employ various security mechanisms for monitoring and protecting our systems from attempted or actual improper use or intrusion. By using dcfs.la.gov, you accept the use of such security monitoring and the state reserves the right to use any legally appropriate measures to prevent and investigate any individual attempting to modify, deface, delete, abuse or otherwise inappropriately use dcfs.la.gov.
• Except for authorized security event response and law enforcement investigations, no attempt is made to discover the identity of individual users.

Do Not Track

Do Not Track is a privacy preference that users can set in some web browsers to signal their preference regarding potential tracking by third party websites. While the United States Federal Trade Commission has endorsed DNT, this site does not currently support DNT codes. However, except as otherwise disclosed herein, this site limits tracking to the internal uses described above. This site does not track your use across multiple websites; however, other websites to which we link may track your use. Please review privacy policies when you visit other websites to understand how you may be tracked.

• Information You Voluntarily Provide
• Contact Email
  • When emailing agency contacts, you should supply the minimum amount of information required to provide a description of the purpose of your message and enough contact information to be reached.
• Online Forms
  • When you choose to use these forms, your submissions are securely transmitted directly to the state’s managed systems. Information submitted is used solely for the purpose indicated at the time of your submission. More specifically, your information will not be used for any purpose which is not compliant with this privacy policy.

Use of Information

• How your information will be used
• We automatically collect information to improve the content of our web services and to help us understand how our services are being used. This information does not identify you personally and is used for gathering website statistics. The information we automatically collect and store in our logs about your visit helps us analyze our website to continually improve the value of the materials available. Our website logs do not identify a visitor by personal information, and we make no attempt to link other websites with the individuals who browse our website.
• The information you voluntarily submit will be disclosed only to state employees or officials, or those under contract with the state, on a “need-to-know basis” for purposes of fulfilling their job responsibilities. The information will be used for such purposes as answering your questions; responding to any requests for assistance; generating summary statistics about usage; auditing applications and detecting fraud; aiding in the planning, design and development of dcfs.la.gov; and fulfilling any legal obligations.
• How your information will not be used
• No information collected through dcfs.la.gov will be used for financial gain, or for any other advertising or marketing purposes. The state will not sell, lease or distribute any information to any third party unless required by state or federal law.

Data Protection

This site and systems used to support this site comply with Louisiana’s Information Security Policy.

Information Disclaimer

Information on this Site/Application is meant to give the public immediate access to public information. While we try to give accurate, current, and reliable information, DCFS understands that human and mechanical errors happen. DCFS and our staff and contractors do not represent that information on this Site/Application is accurate, complete, up to date, or suitable.

Updates and Changes

The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) reserves the right to change this privacy policy as necessary. Any such changes will be reflected by the effective date above. Please revisit this page regularly to stay apprised of any changes.