The 2025 Legislative Session concluded on June 12th. One of the major child welfare bills that passed involves the reorganization of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Another bill updates DCFS findings terminology, replacing “valid” and “invalid” with “substantiated” and “unsubstantiated.” Additionally, there have been changes to the mandatory reporting law. During the July CIP Café, you will learn about these key legislative updates.
Our speakers will also highlight changes to delinquency, education, and mental health laws that impact our children and families. They’ll provide insight into the legislative process and the challenges involved in drafting bills.
There will be time to discuss Act 92 from the 2024 legislative session, which introduced an “Advice of Rights for Children” provision in the Louisiana Children’s Code and amended Children’s Code Article 672A(2), which allows judges to disapprove a DCFS placement under certain circumstances.
Learning Objective:
- Become familiar with the process of “How a Bill becomes a Law.”
- Learn about the newest legislation impacting child welfare passed during this year’s legislative session.
- Discuss if, and how, the 2024 legislation is being implemented.
SPEAKERS
Kayana Bradley, Peer Support Specialist, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services; Louisiana Elite Advocacy Force
Kayana Keedy Bradley, a lived experience stakeholder, and advocate utilizes her professional and personal experience to enhance the foster care system. She highlights the importance of teamwork throughout the Louisiana system. Kayana has worked with the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the Chafee Independent Living Skills providers, speaking directly with current foster kids and preparing them to age out. She has been a part of the HCR 168 Taskforce on Youth Aging Out of Foster Care, and SCR10 Taskforce on Extending The Age of Foster Care. For Kayana’s work on behalf of other youth, she was recognized with one of the first Louisiana Angels awards from the Louisiana Institute for Children in Families. Kayana has been recognized for her commitment to excellence towards the state and community development receiving the Young Adult Achievement Award. She has been able to partner with the Casey Family Programs to publicize across the nation why youth engagement is important in 3 youth engagement briefs. She is the President of Louisiana Elite Advocacy Force (LEAF), Technology and Transitioning Age Youth with Foster Together Network, and a Pelican Center Board Fellow. She happily pushes for change in policy to encourage permanent placements and family stability while increasing youth voice and supportive resources to benefit current and former families that face adversity in Louisiana’s system. Kayana believes it takes a village to raise children and keep families stable, so as citizens, we all bare a responsibility for children in our community, parish, state, and nation. GATHER. LEARN. COLLABORATE.
Kathy Lynn Cook, J.D., M.A., C.W.L.S.,* Deputy General Counsel, Mental Health Advocacy Service/Child Advocacy Program
Ms. Cook has been a Mental Health attorney for juveniles and adults for 29 years, spending the last 19 years as a CINC attorney for children. Her agency responsibilities include legislation writing and monitoring, training and data management, and she works on child welfare policy and quality indicators development at both the state and national levels. Ms. Cook has A.S., B.S., M.A. and J.D. degrees, and is NACC certified as a Child Welfare Law Specialist.
Courtney Schroeder, J.D., Deputy Judicial Administrator, Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court
Ms. Schroeder has been in the role of Deputy Judicial Administrator since 2019. Previously she was a private practice attorney for three years and a Supervising Court Attorney for Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court for ten years. Courtney earned her undergrad at LSU and her Juris Doctorate at Loyola University School of Law
