New leadership at the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services says major changes are already underway as the agency works to improve child protection across the state.
DCFS Secretary Rebecca Harris discussed the department’s goals during a recent hearing before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. Harris said lawmakers focused heavily on child fatalities and how the department plans to respond moving forward.
Harris said the agency’s top priority is strengthening frontline child protection services. She also stressed the importance of prevention efforts to help families before situations become dangerous.
“Child welfare work is hard, but standing still at DCFS is simply not an option,” Harris said during the interview.
The department recently moved more than 100 employees from office-based support roles back into field operations. Harris said those workers previously handled training and consultation from state offices. Now, they will work directly alongside staff serving children and families in local communities.
Harris acknowledged that the child welfare system in Louisiana faces many of the same problems seen across the country. High workloads, staff burnout, and workforce instability continue to create challenges for agencies trying to respond quickly to reports of abuse or neglect.
DCFS is also recruiting workers with investigative, operational, emergency response, and training experience. Harris encouraged people interested in public service to apply through the department’s website.
Looking ahead, Harris said the agency plans to expand community-based care and provide support earlier in the process. That includes addressing issues like mental health, substance abuse, and housing instability before families reach a crisis point.
The department’s leadership team received questions throughout the hearing about accountability, staffing, and long-term improvements as Louisiana lawmakers continue monitoring child welfare reform efforts.