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Newborn Safely Handed Over at Lake Charles area Safe Haven Facility One Month After State Public Awareness Campaign
March 11, 2009
03.11.09 - One month after the Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) launched a public awareness campaign to educate new parents about Louisiana’s Safe Haven law, a mother who felt she could not care for her newborn made a safe choice early this morning when she placed her baby in the safe arms of a Lake Charles area hospital worker.
Gun Pulled on DSS Employees Reiterates Daily Danger In Protecting Children
March 06, 2009
03.06.09 - Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services Secretary Kristy Nichols said today that an incident in Morehouse Parish late this afternoon where a gun was pulled on two child protection investigators reiterates the danger they must face on a daily basis in ensuring the safety of children across our state.
DSS Launches Online Adoption Initiative
February 19, 2009
02.19.09 - Connecting Louisiana foster children with potential adoptive families is as close as the click of a mouse. Profiles of more than a dozen foster children available for adoption now appear on the main page of the Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) Web site, allowing potential adoptive parents to see a photo of the child and learn more about him or her.
DSS Launches Safe Haven Public Awareness Campaign
February 11, 2009
02.11.09 - Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) today announced a public awareness campaign, including a partnership with Lamar Advertising Co. for billboards statewide, to provide information about Louisiana’s Safe Haven Law, which allows parents to legally relinquish custody of an infant at designated locations without the threat of prosecution.
Louisiana's Safe Haven Law Designed to Keep Unwanted Newborns Safe, Parents Free from Prosecution
February 11, 2009
02.11.09 - Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) officials reminded the public today that Louisiana's Safe Haven law gives new parents a chance to provide a safe environment for their unwanted newborn at any designated emergency care facility, hopefully preventing tragic events like the abandonment of a newborn in Kenner yesterday.
DSS Provides Update on Child Residential Reform
February 05, 2009
02.05.09 - Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) Secretary Kristy Nichols today announced that significant steps have been taken over the past 90 days to reform child residential care, including the review and inspection of all 64 facilities and the formation of a task force to make recommendations on licensure standards.
DSS Antifraud System Wins National Technology Solution Award
February 04, 2009
02.04.09 - The Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) has received DM Review's 2008 Innovative Solution Award in the Business Intelligence/Analytics category for its use of mapping technology to help detect fraudulent activity in the state's Food Stamp Program.
DSS to Recommend Revocation of Child Residential Licenses
January 13, 2009
01.13.09 - As part of continued efforts to reform child residential care in Louisiana, the Department of Children & Family Services (DSS) will recommend the revocation of licenses for two child residential facilities due to deficiencies and failure to meet licensing standards.
DSS Employee A Role Model for Women in Military
January 12, 2009
01.12.09 - Lt. Col. Lillian Smith's "day job" is as Alexandria regional administrator for the Department of Children & Family Services' Office of Community Services. A 25-year employee of OCS, she oversees all public child welfare functions for the eight central Louisiana parishes. In her spare time, she is a lieutenant colonel with the Louisiana Army National Guard, serving as chief facility engineer.