The 2025 Louisiana Regular Session is over, with mixed results for Louisianans. A major win worth celebrating, however, is the passage and signing of House Bills (HB) 624 and 617, collectively known as “One Door” legislation that was the result of the Louisiana Workforce and Social Services Reform (LA WASS) Task Force recommendations. These two bills—now laws—will establish a streamlined, single-point system for recipients of government assistance programs such as those funded by the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

This means that individuals seeking temporary help for basic services can also find opportunities for job training and placement at the same time, and caseworkers assisting them will be focused on short-term aid as well as long-term positive outcomes. The One Door approach prioritizes providing individuals with the immediate support they need while developing marketable skills to join the workforce in a meaningful way. This benefits them, their communities, and Louisiana as a whole. It could also result in long-term efficiencies and reduce the state’s population needing government aid.

One Door Implementation Timeline

Implementation of the new, integrated service center—LA Works—will begin this October, with some workforce development programs currently operated by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) being transferred to LA Works, the new name of the redesigned Louisiana Workforce Commission. This shift will enable a more holistic approach to providing recipients of social safety net programs with the assistance they need to achieve long-term prosperity through stable employment. TANF will also move from DCFS to LA Works in October 2027, fully integrating the array of programs funded by this large federal program with workforce development and economic opportunity.

SNAP and disability determination services will transfer from DCFS to the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) this October. Efficiency and customer service will be enhanced with this transition because Medicaid already shares some backend similarities with these programs, including technology. LDH plans to integrate these services with LA Works, however, ensuring that beneficiaries experience a true “One Door” service delivery system.

The realignment will also enable DCFS to focus exclusively on child welfare, which includes investigating cases of abuse and neglect and overseeing Louisiana’s foster care system.

One Door to Self-Sufficiency

The One Door approach will not only promote individual prosperity but also strengthen Louisiana’s economy. Companies like Meta and Hyundai have announced big plans to invest in the state. An abundant, capable workforce will be essential to meet the new, high-paying jobs these and future investments will bring.

Louisiana is set to become only the second state in the nation (following Utah, which took similar steps in the 90s) to create a truly unified, efficient, and empowering public assistance system. By breaking down programmatic silos and aligning resources around workforce readiness, Louisiana is creating clearer, more intentional pathways to opportunity and long-term independence. As implementation begins, Louisiana can serve as a national model for how safety net programs can support—not trap—individuals and families and open the door to a more prosperous future for all Louisianans.