Governor Jeff Landry has announced two new measures aimed at improving the foster care system in Louisiana. At a press event in Baton Rouge, Landry was joined by Alex J. Adams, Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), and Rebecca Harris, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
The state will adopt a proclamation called “A Home for Every Child” and sign an executive order to protect Social Security survivor benefits for foster youth. These actions are part of efforts to strengthen support for children in foster care.
“Louisiana is proud to be one of the first states to join President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump’s Foster Care initiative. Our actions today focus on two priorities: ensuring children have safe, stable homes and protecting financial benefits that rightfully belong to them,” said Governor Landry. “From day one, my administration has made protecting the most vulnerable a top priority. Joining this initiative ensures that every child in Louisiana has the opportunity to grow up in a safe environment.”
Alex J. Adams commented on Louisiana’s participation in these initiatives. “The Trump Administration commends Governor Landry’s bold leadership in prioritizing and protecting foster youth. By joining ‘A Home for Every Child’ and taking swift action to preserve the earned survivor benefits that rightfully belong to foster youth, Louisiana is ensuring children have both safe homes and the resources they need to succeed,” said Adams. “We are grateful for our partnership with Louisiana and know both actions taken today will deliver real results for children and families throughout the state.”
Rebecca Harris also highlighted the urgency of these changes. “Children do not experience time the way systems do. Every day in foster care matters. ‘A Home for Every Child’ calls us to ensure there is a home ready for every child that must enter foster care, to eliminate the bureaucracy that stands between children and families, and to use clear, measurable data to track our progress. Louisiana will act with urgency so that no child waits for safety, stability, or permanency. I am deeply committed to advancing this work for the children of our state,” said Harris.
The ACF’s “A Home for Every Child” initiative aims to improve ratios between available foster homes and children needing placement by streamlining pathways toward permanency while providing safe environments.
The executive order addresses Social Security survivor benefits intended for children who have lost their parents but may have been redirected by agencies in some states—a practice sometimes called the “orphan tax.” Under this new directive, Louisiana will ensure those funds remain with eligible foster youth, supporting their education, savings, housing needs, and transition into adulthood.
Governor Landry’s administration has previously focused on economic growth through policy initiatives such as securing over $50 billion in investments via tax cuts (source) as well as advancing education reforms that improved student testing scores across Louisiana (source). His policies also aim at promoting public safety (source), with impacts extending across regions including New Orleans and Baton Rouge (source).
