Child Protective Services

Child Protective Services (CPS) includes the investigation and/or assessment of child abuse and neglect, as well as the provision of short-term, concrete services to children and families. These services are legally mandated for children who are alleged to be neglected, abused, exploited or without proper custody or guardianship.

To report suspected child abuse, child sexual abuse, neglect, or juvenile sex trafficking, call 1-855-4LA-KIDS (1-855-452-5437) toll-free 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

What happens in an investigation?

The investigation process begins with a report of child abuse and/or neglect of a child. Reports are received by our Centralized Intake Unit, which consists of trained staff who gather and assess information to determine if the reported information meets the legal criteria for investigation. More information about the legal criteria for an investigation can be found here.

The CPS worker investigates the allegations made by the reporter in order to determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegation as per Louisiana law or DCFS policy. In addition to the determination of the report, the worker is responsible for assessing any other presenting allegation of abuse/neglect, along with safety

What does substantiating a report of abuse or nelgect mean?

Once the Child Protective Services worker has completed the investigation contacts required by policy, any additional contacts indicated by case circumstances, and has obtained the information and documentation necessary for decision making, the worker is responsible for deciding with their supervisor, during a supervisory conference, the findings of the investigation, which may include:. 

• Unsubstantiated means there is insufficient evidence to support the allegations of abuse or neglect. This finding does not mean that the abuse or neglect did not occur, but that our investigation did not reveal sufficient evidence to support the allegations.  
• Inconclusive means that there is not sufficient evidence to either substantiate or unsubstantiated the allegations of child abuse or neglect. This finding does not mean that the abuse or neglect did not occur.
• Substantiated means that there is credible information gathered and there is sufficient proof to support, that a reasonable person would believe, that the abuse or neglect occurred.

More information on substantiated findings and the right to appeal those findings is located at Administrative Appeals of Justified Substantiated Child Protection Investigations.

What happens next?

Once the investigation has been completed, the case is closed. The agency then determines the need for additional services for the family, based on child safety and risk factors. Child safety is paramount in decision-making. There are times that DCFS must request court intervention for keeping a child safe. The court may order in-home services, custody to a relative or fictive kin, or custody to DCFS. 

What happens in an assessment?

DCFS utilizes an Alternative Response Family Assessment approach in cases of child-on-child sexual abuse where there is no parental culpability alleged. DCFS is required to assess the child’s family when child-on child sexual abuse is alleged in the home, as well as assess the alleged child perpetrator and child victim and their families when Law Enforcement refers incidents that occur in a school setting.

Alternative Response (AR), also known as Differential Response or Family Assessment, is an approach used in child welfare systems across various U.S. states to address low-risk reports of child abuse or neglect. Instead of initiating a formal investigation, AR focuses on engaging families through voluntary services and support, aiming to keep children safely at home and strengthen family dynamics. AR focuses on supporting families, assessing underlying dynamics, and offering services when needed.  It emphasizes collaboration, providing services, and finding solutions.  The goal is to keep children safe and strengthen families through support and resources.  An AR assessment does not result in an investigative finding, but there may be instances where a case needs to progress to a traditional investigation if new information arises.