All News

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.

DSS, Workforce Commission Partner to Increase Workforce Participation, Self-Sufficiency for Clients

September 22, 2009

09.22.09 - The Louisiana Workforce Commission and the Department of Children & Family Services announced today they are working together on a pilot integration program designed to more effectively use available resources of each agency to identify job-ready clients and efficiently place them into demand jobs with opportunity for career growth.

DSS Announces Child Care Reform

September 18, 2009

09.18.09 - Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) Secretary Kristy Nichols today announced steps to reform child care licensing standards in Louisiana, including the formation of an advisory group to receive input on reforms from providers and an immediate assessment of child care centers in order to ensure that quality child care for children is provided in a safe environment.

Thibodaux Woman Found Guilty of Food Stamp Theft

September 17, 2009

09.17.09 - A 53-year old Thibodaux woman was found guilty Wednesday of using her job to illegally obtain $2,133 in food stamp assistance benefits after a trial in state district court in Thibodaux.

DSS To Host First Monthly Web Cast Monday

September 11, 2009

09.11.09 - The Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) will host the first in a series of monthly Web casts on Monday as part of the agency's efforts to foster leadership and innovation in social service delivery, increase savings and efficiencies and improve client outcomes.

DSS Selects 12 for Innovation in Louisiana Government Fellowship

September 11, 2009

09.11.09 - Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) Secretary Kristy Nichols today announced the 12 members of the first class of the Innovation in Louisiana Government Fellowship, a six-month program that will provide leadership training and technical assistance as the fellows work to develop innovative social service projects.

DSS Adoption Specialist Receives National Honor for Work with Children, Families

September 11, 2009

09.11.09 - DSS Adoption Specialist Marie Rudison is the September recipient of AdoptUsKids' Caseworker of the Month award, part of national initiative which celebrates caseworkers for their dedication to children and families.

Blind Café Owner Triumphs In Light of Challenges

September 11, 2009

09.11.09 - In less than two years, Janice Foster, a Baton Rouge business owner who is legally blind, went from being a cafeteria worker to achieving more than $100,000 in gross sales at her restaurant Vittles Café, which is a Randolph-Sheppard food service facility.