The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services has won an award. The nonprofit organization, Code for America, has awarded DCFS with its Government Changemaker Award. Secretary Terri Ricks says in 2019 the state partnered with Code for America and launched a one-way text messaging service that helps recipients during difficult times.
“During the pandemic, you know the hurricanes and other things, we were able to leverage the use of technology to keep people informed of what they needed to know to keep their benefits and to learn about other benefits that would be helpful.”
DCFS collaborated with Code for America with the LA’Message pilot in 2019 which allows one-way text messages that alert recipients of critical points involving the enrollment and renewal process. Ricks says these messages may have been lifesaving as they often included vital information for households.
“Since 2020, we’ve sent nearly 80 million text messages to our clients about food assistance, about disaster-related assistance, rental assistance, and other programs that came up to the pandemic.”
DCFS and Code for America are working on three projects designed to improve recipients’ experiences: a document uploader, an expanded texting campaign, and a digital assistant. Louisiana was among one of the first states selected last year to participate in Code for America’s Safety Net Innovation Lab.
“And we are grateful it evidences and showcases the really good work that’s going on at the agency. The things that we’re talking about – the things we were awarded for have been happening over the last two years. So we’re glad that one of the positive things has reached national news.”
Code for America also credited text messages sent by DCFS with helping SNAP recipients claim tax credits in outreach promoted by The White House.
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