(The Center Square) – Louisiana child welfare officials investigated more than 1,800 cases involving substance-exposed newborns last year. Now the state is expanding an effort aimed at connecting mothers and babies with services before families reach a crisis point.
The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services conducted 1,803 investigations involving substance-exposed newborns statewide in 2025, according to the agency. Family Services is now expanding its partnership with Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge by placing a dedicated child welfare liaison at the hospital.
Woman’s Hospital is the largest delivery hospital in Louisiana.
“Child welfare should not wait for a family to reach the point of crisis before we offer help,” Family Services Secretary Rebecca Harris said.
Harris said the partnership is intended to connect mothers struggling with substance use with treatment and other support while protecting newborns. She said the approach also aligns with federal efforts emphasizing earlier intervention and preventing unnecessary foster care placements when children can safely remain with their families.
Each case involving a substance-exposed newborn can involve different circumstances. DCFS said closer communication between health care providers and child welfare workers can help families better understand the process and connect them with appropriate services.
Woman’s Hospital Executive President and Chief Nursing Officer Cheri Johnson said coordination between the hospital and DCFS can help identify families’ needs earlier and reduce barriers to receiving services.
“As Louisiana’s largest specialty hospital solely dedicated to the care of women and infants, Woman’s understands that connecting families with the right agencies and resources they need can make all the difference,” Johnson said.
Family Services said the liaison position is part of a broader effort to strengthen partnerships with health care providers and community organizations. The agency and Woman’s Hospital plan to use what they learn from the arrangement to improve coordination and support for families elsewhere in Louisiana.
