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Acting LA DCFS Head Outlines Goals To Prioritize Child Safety And Stabilize Agency

Acting secretary for LA Dept. of Children and Family Services appeared before the Senate Health and Welfare committee to outline immediate agency goals.
Courtesy; LA Senate Health and Welfare Committee
Acting secretary for LA Dept. of Children and Family Services appeared before the Senate Health and Welfare committee to outline immediate agency goals.

LA DCFS PLANS - Louisiana’s Department of Children and Family Services has had a tough few months as it has come under scrutiny for its handling of child abuse and neglect referrals. Recent stories of two children’s deaths under the agency’s watch had calls for more oversight and lawmakers called for its secretary Marketa Garner Walters to resign which she did on November 10th.

Appearing before a legislative hearing in Baton Rouge earlier this week - Terri Ricks, the acting secretary of DCFS, outlined goals to stabilize the agency. The plan includes recruiting and retaining workers to help ease pressure on an overwhelmed and discontented staff, and bolster training. But she also said the main goal is to prioritize keeping high-risk children safe.

“We are right now focused on a set of immediate short-term actions that are aimed at insuring four things: we are making timely assessment of safety to every child we are charged to investigate through our centralized intake process; we are tracking our efforts so we can make meaningfully informed decisions. We are identifying and engaging our partners who can support us in the effort and we’re augmenting, deploying and supporting staff to better help the children and families we serve,” Ricks explained.

Courtesy: LA DCFS

Ricks also explained that calling the number 211 is an easy way for people to report suspected child abuse to child protective services. A recent survey by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor found DCFS employees are overworked, underpaid and feeling burdened by poor management. The survey indicated workers are saddled with excessive caseloads that have led to cases of abuse and neglect being overlooked.

Chuck Smith brings more than 30 years' broadcast and media experience to Red River Radio. He began his career as a radio news reporter and transitioned to television journalism and newsmagazine production. Chuck studied mass communications at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and motion picture / television production at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has also taught writing for television at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and video / film production at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport.