Foster care (also known as out-of-home care) is a temporary service provided by each state for children who cannot live with their families. Children in foster care may live with relatives or with unrelated foster parents. Foster care can also refer to placement settings such as group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living.
In Louisiana, foster care is managed by the Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS), which provides temporary care and shelter for children who are unable to live with their families due to safety concerns, abuse, neglect, or other family crises. Foster care placements can include living with relatives, known as kinship care, or with state-approved foster parents. Other placement options include group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living programs for older youth. The goal of foster care in Louisiana is to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for children while working towards a permanent solution, which may include reunification with the family, adoption, or another permanent living arrangement. The state has specific regulations and statutes that govern the foster care system, including the licensing of foster homes, the rights of children in foster care, and the responsibilities of foster parents.