Children and Teens

Department of Child and Family Services

DCFS is working to keep children safe, helping individuals and families become self-sufficient, and providing safe refuge during disasters. This department provides services related to the following: Child support enforcement, child welfare, disability determination, economic stability and emergency preparedness.

Safe Haven

  • DCFS has partnered with the National Safe Haven Alliance (NSHA) to offer a 24/7 hotline staffed by highly trained crisis response experts using a holistic approach to help parents who are considering relinquishing their baby under Louisiana’s Safe Haven Law.
  • New parents may believe they are unable to parent their child due to extenuating circumstances. NSHA’s experts can help callers navigate those challenges and prepare for parenthood or, if desired, connect them with adoption providers within the state. If neither parenting nor adoption is an option, the team can help the parent prepare for a safe and legal relinquishment of the baby to an authorized Safe Haven site employee.
  • Safe Haven 24/7 Crisis Hotline
  • 1-888-510-BABY (2229)
  • Text: SAFEHAVEN to 313131
  • Web: nationalsafehavenalliance.org/
  • If you find yourself with no other alternative and are considering abandoning your baby, Louisiana's Safe Haven Law provides a safe place for your child. If you are unable to care for your baby and the baby's well-being is in danger, you can bring the newborn up to 60 days old to an emergency designated facility or Safe Haven site. By leaving the baby in the care of an employee at a Safe Haven facility, parents can give up custody of the newborn with no questions asked.
  • Parents who would like to give up custody of their child, but whose child is not in immediate danger of harm, are encouraged to use a planned, permanent adoption through an adoption agency that accounts for medical and genetic history.

Partners for Family Health Louisiana

Partners for Family Health and Partners for Healthy Babies Helpline at 1-800-251-BABY makes finding Louisiana health resources easy. Browse, click, and call for Louisiana health resources you can trust. 

Get connected to resources that can make raising a family just a little easier. For example, breastfeeding support can make a big difference – we’ll help you find local breastfeeding resources and support groups. Find out how a free app helps moms across the country stay on top of what they and their babies need to stay healthy. Learn about Louisiana Medicaid coverage, Louisiana WIC, immunizations, daycare services, mental health services, and so much more. You can find these resources online or call 1-800-251-BABY.

Family First

Prevention and Family Preservation

FFPSA recognizes that families can often provide safe and loving care if they have the support and services they need. The legislation allows states to use federal funds to provide prevention services and programs for up to 12 months to:

  • Children at risk for entering or re-entering foster care
  • A child whose family has substance abuse issues
  • Siblings of children in foster care who live at home
  • A child with psychological or behavioral health needs whose parent/caretaker needs additional support
  • Parenting or pregnant youth who are in foster care or have recently exited care
  • A child living with a relative or kin caregivers

Text4Baby

The free Text4baby app makes it even easier for you to get critical health and safety information

Louisiana Parent Line

Call or Text for support!
Phone: 1-833-LACHILD
Text: 225.424.1533
Free and confidential

VIA LINK launched Louisiana Parentline to provide emotional support for parents through phone and text messaging. Louisiana Parentline was created to replace the Kidline. VIA LINK believes in the work done on this phone and text line and we have decided to continue the work through Louisiana Parentline.

Louisiana Parentline will give parents a safe space to express their frustrations, ask parenting questions and get support. Specialists can offer emotional support, de-escalation, crisis intervention, information and referral, and plans for coping. Follow up calls can also be offered to parents to increase their circle of support

You can reach Louisiana Parentline 24/7 by dialing 833-LA-CHILD or by texting 225-424-1533.

Child Protection Investigation

  • Child protection investigation is the investigation of child abuse and neglect, as well as the provision of short-term, concrete services to children and families. These services are legally mandated, specialized investigations and social services for children who are alleged to be neglected, abused, exploited or without proper custody or guardianship.
  • To report suspected child abuse, call 1-855-4LA-KIDS (1-855-452-5437) toll-free 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Louisiana’s Youth Independent Living (IL) Providers

The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is here to help you prepare for your future. One way DCFS can help is with the Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood. This program was made for young adults. It has services and information you will need when you leave foster care, so you can get ready to be on your own. If you are 14 or 15 years old: The IL providers can help you make plans for your future, show you how to get along with others, help you with school and many other things. If you are 16 or 17 years old: The IL providers can help you practice skills needed to live on your own, help you plan for your future and many other things you will need to know. If you are 18, 19, 20 or 21 years old: The IL providers can help you get the things you will need to know as you become an adult, such as helping you:

  • Open a bank account and budget your money
  • Find the services and programs you may need, including health care, food stamps, etc.
  • Find a place to live
  • Get ready to find a job
  • Find training for a job
  • Apply for a job
  • Find a job
  • Continue your education

Nurse-Family Partnership Louisiana

A voluntary program that provides services to 1st-time pregnant mom, any age. Services continue until the child’s second birthday. The mom is paired with a registered nurse who provides personalized education, coaching/support, and referrals to services to empower them to reach their goals. Services and supports are provided to first-time moms who are eligible for TANF, SSI, Medicaid, WIC or SNAP. Call or text (844) 637-6667.

Child Care Assistance Program for Families
1-877-453-2721

To support all families in accessing high quality child-care, the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) provides financial assistance to low-income families while they are working or attending school.
Apply online or call the number above.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 

Search for missing children, exploitation issues, amber alerts, resources for survivors of sexual abuse, report sexual exploitation of children online, victim and family support
24-Hour Hotline 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)
Cyber Tipline Report 

Child Find of America

Provides professional services to prevent and resolve child abduction and the family conflicts that can lead to abduction and abuse
800-I-AM-LOST line connects callers to in-house location staff who search for missing, kidnapped, runaway and abducted children.
Parent Help Program 1-800-716-3468 – free, confidential, telephone-based services to parents in conflict

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Support International (PSI) HelpLine

Call or text PSI's HelpLine at any time. Volunteers are available from 8 AM–11 PM EST to answer questions, offer encouragement, and connect callers with local resources. 

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). This free, confidential service is available 24/7. 

National Child and Maternal Health Education Program

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/ncmhep/initiatives/moms-mental-health-matters/find-help

Safe Havynn Education Center

209 B Jefferson Street
Lafayette, LA 70501
337.552.7530
Free relationship education and sexual health program in supportive environment offered to supporting parents and guardians and their teens.

Parenting Support:

Center for Improvement of Child Care (CICC) - Parenting education, support and advocacy services, projects, and programs.

Bullying:

PACER - Provides resources for students, parents, educators, and others

StopBullying.gov - Provides information from various government agencies on what bullying is, what cyberbullying is, who is at risk and how to prevent and respond to bullying. Offers help for keeping yourself and others safe.