Without opposition, the House passed two bills aimed at streamlining services to people in need. Hoping to provide services that “lift people, rather than catch people when they fall,” Rep. Kim Carver said.
His bill, HB 617, reorganizes the Department of Children and Family Services to make the department’s mission simple: protecting children. If the changes pass the Senate, DCFS would oversee child protective services, human trafficking prevention, adoption services, and prevention of child abuse and neglect. Also, it would administer child support programs.
All other social service programs that DCFS currently provides would be transferred under the proposed “Louisiana Works” Department, a rebrand of the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Those changes fall under House Bill 624, authored by Rep. Stephanie Berault.
SNAP benefits and eligibility would be transferred under the Department of Health, however.
HB 624 aims to create a one-stop shop for Louisianans in need of services. The “One Door” bill would connect people to a case worker, rather than multiple specialists for each service. On the back end of these services, Berault said that case workers would ask clients “what now,” emphasizing the temporary nature of the programs.
If passed, Louisiana Works would now cover FITAP, TANF, STEP, cash assistance, education and employment training, and other related public assistance programs.
House Bills 617 and 624 now head to the Senate committee.
Article reposted from WAFB 9 News. Photo credit: WAFB 9 News.