More than 5.8 million children live in grandparents’ homes across the U.S. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, Louisiana ranks as one of the top five states in the nation for grandparents raising their grandchildren. The Census Bureau reports that more than 67,000 Louisiana grandparents are responsible for meeting the basic needs of their grandchildren, including their health care.

Louisiana DCFS values the commitment of all grandparents who maintain a positive family environment for their loved ones. 

Louisiana Fosters is a state-wide campaign sponsored by First Lady Donna Edwards to link government, faith, non-profit, business and community to create united support for our state's foster care system. Foster care is a noble service, and those called to foster offer love and non-judgmental care to children who desperately need our support.http://www.louisianafosters.la.gov/

DCFS Resources

Other State Resources

 KCSP  - The Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP) provides cash assistance of $450 per month for each eligible child who resides with a qualified relative other than a parent.

• Learn More
• How to Apply

 SNAP - The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly benefits that help eligible low-income households buy the food they need for good health.

• Learn More
• Pre-Screening Eligibility Tool
• How to Apply

 FITAP - The Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) provides cash assistance to families with children when the financial resources of the family are insufficient to meet subsistence needs.

• Learn More
• How to Apply Online
• Apply by Mail or Fax
  • Download Application
  • Mailing Adderss
    • DCFS Economic Stability
      P.O. Box 260031
      Baton Rouge, LA 70826
  • Fax Number
    • (225) 663-3164 

Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect

• 1-855-4LA-KIDS (1-855-452-5437)
• What is abuse/neglect?

 Governor's Office for Elderly Affairs - The Louisiana Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs (GOEA) acts as the state's visible advocate and focal point for all matters pertaining to the aging population.

• Louisiana Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Resource Guide

 LaCHIP - The Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program (LaCHIP) provides health coverage to uninsured children up to age 19. It is a no-cost health program that pays for hospital care, doctor visits, prescription drugs, shots and more. Grandparents are eligible.

• How to Apply

 Healthy Louisiana - Medicaid expansion has made Medicaid available to more than 400,000 people living in Louisiana who did not previously qualify for full Medicaid coverage and could not afford to buy private health insurance.

• How to Apply

 Louisiana 211 - 2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects callers to information about critical health and human services available in their community.

• www.louisiana211.org/

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Information Center

LaGRG is an organization dedicated to offering both information and support to grandparent and other kinship caregivers and their families. In monthly discussion sessions, grandparents and caregivers alike can share their experiences and advice. There is also an opportunity to obtain guidance from others who have found themselves in similar situations.

Additional Resources 

• AARP - GrandFacts for Louisiana. AARP has compiled informative listings of data, benefits, and service providers for each state.

• AARP - GrandFamilies Guide - The Guide for GrandFamilies can help you find your way to the services and support you need to take care of yourself and your family. 

• American Grandparents Association

• GrandFamilies.org - A national legal resource in support of grandfamilies within and outside the child welfare system

• Legal Help - Louisiana State Bar Association

• Louisiana Food Bank Association

• Prevent Child Abuse - Since 1986, Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Louisiana has been dedicated to accomplishing our mission of preventing the abuse and neglect of our state’s children.

• Social Security Benefits for Grandchildren - Under the right conditions, grandchildren (or step-grandchildren) can receive a benefit based on the work history of a grandparent.