DCFS Partners with Calcasieu Parish Police Jury to Launch New Program Starting April 6

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury (CPPJ) announced the Leading Individuals to Vital Employment (LIVE) program, an initiative designed to help noncustodial parents meet their financial obligations and achieve self-sufficiency. LIVE helps parents with active child support cases in Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis parishes access skills training, employment, and continuing education opportunities.

LIVE helps noncustodial parents gain access to employment resources and training, educational resources, practical strategies to balance career and family responsibilities, and assistance with common obstacles, such as transportation, housing, and childcare. Depending on their situation, LIVE participants may receive support in navigating legal issues related to their child support case.

"Many noncustodial parents want to be present in their children's lives but face barriers in finding stable employment and staying current on their child support," explained Charles Watkins, Assistant Secretary for Family Support. "LIVE recognizes that when parents succeed professionally, families benefit. We're helping parents build the foundation for lifelong relationships with their children."

The LIVE program represents a collaborative effort involving multiple community partners across the four-parish region. Key partners include the CPPJ, SOWELA Technical Community College, Acadiana Legal Services, and Southwest Louisiana Law Center, along with numerous community-based organizations.

"Partnering with DCFS to bring LIVE to our region is truly inspiring,” said Nypheteria Larry of Calcasieu Parish Police Jury. “I view this as an excellent program serving a concentrated group with meaningful support, generating positive ripples that start with overcoming immediate barriers and extend to lasting professional growth, financial responsibility, and deeper parent-child connections."

For more information, to explore training opportunities, or to begin the enrollment process, visit dcfs.la/live or call (337) 491-2564.

About Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services

DCFS is the state agency responsible for keeping children safe, helping individuals and families become self-sufficient and providing refuge during disasters. The Division of Family Support administers Child Support Enforcement and federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. The Child Welfare Division manages Child Protection Investigations, Family Services, Foster Care and Adoption Services. Through its Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response, DCFS supports the state's disaster response and recovery functions that involve evacuation, sheltering, emergency food assistance and human services. For more information, visit www.dcfs.la.gov.

About LIVE

Leading Individuals to Vital Employment (LIVE) is a demonstration grant. It is 100% federally funded by the Office of Child Support Enforcement within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The content does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Office of Child Support Enforcement, the Administration for Children and Families, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.