We will build a stronger Louisiana by helping individuals, children and families to achieve safer and more independent lives. Childrens Cabinet Recommendations

We will build a stronger Louisiana by helping individuals, children and families to achieve safer and more independent lives. DSS Mission Effectively and efficiently guiding individuals, children and families toward independence and safety through integrated quality services and partnerships in an environment of opportunity and accountability.

We will build a stronger Louisiana by helping individuals, children and families to achieve safer and more independent lives. Office of Family Support OFS continuation budget allows for prevention services: Improvement in Quality Day Care TANF supported initiatives

We will build a stronger Louisiana by helping individuals, children and families to achieve safer and more independent lives. Anti-Poverty Strategies Earned Income Tax Credit-Outreach Project OFS Strategic Plan-Inclusion of Poverty Reduction as Agency Objective – Focus on Collaboration as Strategy Community Mobilization and Outreach-New Project Focused on Deputy Assistant Secretary and Regional Community Specialists

We will build a stronger Louisiana by helping individuals, children and families to achieve safer and more independent lives. Early Learning and Care Child Care and Development Fund Head Start Quality Initiatives

We will build a stronger Louisiana by helping individuals, children and families to achieve safer and more independent lives. DSS has prioritized the Office of Community Services Needs Mental health services Residential treatment Foster Care Board Rate and Adoption Subsidy equalization Full funding of OCS T.O.

We will build a stronger Louisiana by helping individuals, children and families to achieve safer and more independent lives. Prevention and Early Intervention Services Legislative Mandate Focus on Prevention Need for Early Intervention Services

We will build a stronger Louisiana by helping individuals, children and families to achieve safer and more independent lives. Below Average Foster Care Board Payments USDA average cost for urban south = $570 per month Current foster care board rate = $374 per month Adoption subsidy rate is 80% of board rate = $299 per month A disincentive to adoption

We will build a stronger Louisiana by helping individuals, children and families to achieve safer and more independent lives. Residential Treatment The percent of Louisianas foster care population requiring residential care is increasing significantly without the resources to adequately support such treatment Approximately 1,762 foster children are served annually in OCS residential facilities, most needing mental health services.

We will build a stronger Louisiana by helping individuals, children and families to achieve safer and more independent lives. After Care and Transition Services Childrens mental health needs continue even after leaving foster care whether they are: – Returning to family – Adopted – Placed in custody of relatives or others – Moving into independent or semi-independent living situations such as vocational school or college programs

We will build a stronger Louisiana by helping individuals, children and families to achieve safer and more independent lives. Reduction in Staff Funding OCS has lost 255 positions over the last 5 years This impacts: – Timeliness of investigations – Provision of services necessary to move children into permanent families in a timely manner – Provision of support services to foster and adoptive families – Loss of prevention services staff Currently 3 staff positions are dedicated to prevention services

We will build a stronger Louisiana by helping individuals, children and families to achieve safer and more independent lives. Critical Priorities Increased funding for residential treatment, mental health and substance abuse services Increased foster care board payments and adoption subsidy Increased salary dollars for T.O. authority to allow for growth of prevention services and to adequately address current need

We will build a stronger Louisiana by helping individuals, children and families to achieve safer and more independent lives. OCS Budget Request Continuation budget allows for expansion of Family Group Decision Making, Infant Mental Health programs, Circle of Security New and Expanded budget requests funding for new infant mental health program for foster care parents and staff

We will build a stronger Louisiana by helping individuals, children and families to achieve safer and more independent lives. The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children -Dietrich Bonhoeffer