Louisiana House Approves Major Overhaul of Social Services System

BATON ROUGE, La. — In a move poised to transform how Louisiana delivers assistance to vulnerable populations, the state House has unanimously approved a pair of bills that would significantly restructure the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and establish a new agency known as "Louisiana Works."

The legislation—House Bills 617 and 624—seeks to simplify access to public services while sharpening the focus of DCFS solely on child welfare. The measures now advance to the Senate for consideration.

DCFS Refocused Solely on Child Protection

Under House Bill 617, the DCFS would narrow its mission to child-centric services, including child protective investigations, adoption assistance, human trafficking prevention, and administration of child support programs.

“This is about lifting people, not catching them after the fall,” said Rep. Kim Carver, author of the bill, during floor discussion. “We’re creating clarity in our mission to protect Louisiana’s children.”

Creation of ‘Louisiana Works’ for Integrated Social Support

House Bill 624, sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Berault, would rebrand and expand the Louisiana Workforce Commission into Louisiana Works, a centralized department managing a broad range of social services previously housed under DCFS.

The initiative—also known as the “One Door” model—aims to streamline services by assigning a single caseworker to each client, replacing the current structure where individuals must work with multiple specialists.

“This is about reimagining how we serve people in crisis,” Berault said. “Case workers will not only help clients access support, but also ask the key question: ‘What’s next?’—focusing on long-term stability and self-sufficiency.”

Programs moving under Louisiana Works would include:

• FITAP (Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program)
• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
• STEP (Strategies to Empower People)
• Cash assistance
• Employment and training services

SNAP Benefits Shift to Department of Health

In a separate but related change, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility and benefits would transition to the Louisiana Department of Health. Lawmakers believe aligning food assistance with health services will improve efficiency and outcomes.

Next Steps in Legislative Process

With no opposition in the House, both bills now head to the Senate for committee hearings. If approved, the reorganization would mark one of the most significant social service transformations in Louisiana's recent history.

The “Louisiana Works” initiative is being framed as a strategic investment in the state’s most vulnerable residents—designed not just to provide aid, but to offer a pathway forward.