A dedicated team of Child Protective Services professionals working together to protect children in Louisiana.
The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services has introduced the ‘Second Shift’ initiative to hire over 50 Child Protective Services investigators. This program aims to enhance the agency’s ability to address child abuse and neglect reports during critical hours. With a current shortage of child welfare workers, the new hires will work four 10-hour shifts, enabling better support and safety assessments for at-risk children in Louisiana.
Louisiana – The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has announced the launch of a new initiative named “Second Shift,” aimed at hiring over 50 Child Protective Services (CPS) investigators. This initiative seeks to bolster the agency’s capacity to address reports of child abuse and neglect during evenings, weekends, and holidays, a critical period for intervention.
Each investigator hired under this initiative will work a 10-hour, four-day schedule, starting from 1:30 p.m. to midnight, with alternating weekends off. The positions offer full state benefits, including comprehensive health and retirement plans. The investigators will collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies, educators, and healthcare providers to conduct thorough child safety assessments, enhancing the overall support available to at-risk children in the state.
This effort comes on the heels of an audit report revealing that Louisiana is currently short by at least 129 child welfare workers. The audit highlighted that the number of child welfare workers at DCFS dropped from 1,541 in the fiscal year 2024 to 1,446 by February 2025. This workforce shortfall is particularly concerning given that approximately 4,400 children were in foster care each month during that timeframe.
During the fiscal year 2024, DCFS conducted a staggering 21,901 child protection investigations, costing the state $327.5 million. Despite the high volume of investigations, the turnover rate among child welfare workers showed a slight decline from 15.9% in fiscal year 2023 to 15.3% in fiscal year 2024. However, an average of 214 child welfare employees continued to leave the agency annually in both fiscal years, causing significant strain on the remaining staff.
From July 1, 2024, through March 26, 2025, a total of 151 employees departed from DCFS. The audit underscored that the greatest staffing deficiencies were in the Alexandria region, which was short by 31 workers, and Covington, needing 27 workers. These vacancies are predominantly among frontline child welfare employees, particularly entry-level caseworkers.
The DCFS has been facing challenges in staff retention and recruitment, primarily due to the demanding nature of the work coupled with low salaries. Although overall caseloads appear to have declined, the workload per employee has surged. For instance, an individual worker in Alexandria was reported to have managed 344 active cases in just one month, indicative of the strains on the workforce.
The statewide backlog of CPS cases has decreased by 20% from 2022 to early 2025, although backlogs have increased in specific areas, notably Alexandria. In response to the pressing need for additional staff, a special interview team has been established to streamline the hiring process for new employees, contributing to efforts to minimize backlogs.
DCFS Secretary David Matlock has reiterated a commitment to strengthening the workforce in the face of ongoing challenges, ensuring that the agency can better protect Louisiana’s vulnerable children. The “Second Shift” initiative is a critical step toward enhancing the availability of services and support for children at risk, highlighting the state’s dedication to improving child welfare outcomes.
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