Child Protective Services

Child protective services includes the investigation of child abuse and neglect, as well as the provision of short-term, concrete services to children and families. These services are legally mandated, specialized investigations and social services for children who are alleged to be neglected, abused, exploited or without proper custody or guardianship.

To report suspected child abuse or neglect, or to report 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 by a caretaker. Reports are received by our Centralized Intake Unit, which consists of trained staff who gather abd assess information to determine if the reported information meets the legal criteria for investigation.

The report must concern:

• an alleged child victim under the age of eighteen,
• a parent or caretaker as the alleged perpetrator or with alleged or unknown culpability in the maltreatment, and
• an allegation that the seriously endangers the physical, mental or emotional health and safety of a child.

The child protection investigation worker investigates the allegations made by the reporter in order to determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence to validate the allegation as per Louisiana law or DCFS policy. In addition to the determination of the report, the worker is responsible for assessing safety and the risk of further harm or injury to a child victim.

What does determination of the validity of the report 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 validity conference, the findings of the investigation. 

• Invalid (not justified) means there is insufficient evidence to support the allegations of abuse or neglect.   
• Inconclusive means that the evidence is insufficient to either support or negate the allegations of abuse or neglect.
• Valid (justified) means that there is sufficient evidence to support the allegations of child abuse or neglect.

More information on valid findings and the right to appeal those findings is located at Administrative Appeals of Justified (Valid) Child Protection Investigations.

What happens next?

The service can be received for as long as it takes to complete the child protection investigation. Once the investigation has been completed, the case is closed if the finding is invalid or inconclusive, or transferred to the Family Services Program if it is valid and there is a need for ongoing sources to the family.

If the child abuse and/or neglect is serious enough to remove the child from the home, the case is staffed prior to the removal and an instanter order is obtained from a judge. The child is then placed in foster care or provisional custody is granted to a suitable individual or relative. However, prior to removal, reasonable efforts are made to prevent the removal.

Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect or Reporting Juvenile Sex Trafficking

• Fill out the Mandated Reporters Form online