Louisiana is famous for its rich culture, beautiful landscape, and abundant natural resources. Yet, many residents lack the opportunity to flourish due, in great part, to inefficiencies in how the state organizes and administers several large workforce and social services programs. In 2023, one in five Louisianans were provided approximately $3.27 billion in public assistance across an array of federal and state funded programs. Louisiana has one of the highest poverty rates in the nation alongside one of the highest job opening rates in the nation. Over the next five years, the state is expected to have nearly 62,000 new job openings. Its labor participation rate, however, currently stands at 43rd in the nation at 58.7%. Without intervention, those jobs could go unfilled and those in poverty will continue to struggle.

To better serve them and position Louisiana for prosperity, the Pelican Institute has, for the past few years, touted the “one door” model of integrating workforce and social services, based on the highly successful model of Utah’s Department of Workforce Services. This model simplifies and streamlines the administration of large federal and state programs so that recipients can more easily access and utilize the resources they need to meet basic needs, enter the workforce, and achieve self-sufficiency. Recognizing the need and opportunity for reform, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry established the Louisiana Workforce and Social Services Reform Task Force (LA WASS) in March 2024 via executive order to begin pursuing a more effective, integrated model.

The Task Force met several times, heard from national experts, explored other state innovations, and charged working groups with studying various aspects of the work involved in managing large programs offered through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Workforce Opportunity and Innovation Act (WIOA), Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), and more. In its last meeting on January 28, 2025, the Task Force unanimously approved a report containing recommendations for Governor Landry and the Louisiana Legislature. The report, which highlights the many benefits of widespread integration of workforce and social service programs, articulates a bold, clear vision for modernization and transformation that will better serve the people of Louisiana and support a growing state economy. It addressed the increased transparency, data sharing, consistent and responsive service delivery, performance-based outcomes, and collaboration that will be needed to ensure successful implementation in the short and long term.

The Task Force’s report recommends replacing the current fragmented structure with the creation of a new centralized agency with a single point of entry for all workforce and social service programs—a true one door for those in need. The new agency, which would encompass many of the current programs presently administered by the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and possibly even more, will utilize an integrated customer relations (casework) management system to focus multiple programs from which participants are enrolled on the same positive outcomes, bridge the gap between employers and resources, and modernize data sharing and technology. DCFS would be left to focus critical attention on child welfare, which has been a longstanding challenge for Louisiana. Some of the work has already begun through a promising pilot program between LWC, DCFS, and local workforce and social services partners, which involves integrated staff training and surveys of both staff and participants.

At their final meeting, Task Force members highlighted the need to support state employees in their roles not only through training, but also by more closely tailoring their roles to participants’ needs (which could necessitate changes by Louisiana State Civil Service) and seeking further opportunities to consolidate government functions and spaces to enhance efficiency. They also stressed the importance of ensuring that the newly integrated social service and workforce program facilities are inviting to visitors, demonstrating respect for the people they serve.

Related to this important work is the federal reauthorization of WIOA, which incorporates additional authority for states to implement a “one door” type model. The legislation, which came very close to getting final approval in the last Congress, would grant Louisiana, among other states, a waiver to fully integrate the administration of numerous federally funded workforce and social services programs that currently must be managed in silos. Experts support this effort for its role in reducing bureaucratic hurdles that cause inefficiencies and delays, focusing states more on program compliance than on helping individuals achieve independence by entering the workforce. Members of the LA WASS Task Force expressed optimism that the new Congress, which includes strong leadership representation from Louisiana, will expedite approval of the bill and allow state leaders to achieve their full vision for integrated, effective services.

The carefully curated LA WASS final report recommendations will ultimately be subject to approval by Governor Landry and Louisiana Legislature. While some actions can be taken administratively, others will require the approval of lawmakers in the upcoming legislative session. Louisiana is ripe with opportunity as it continues to enact positive change in the areas of tax reform, fiscal responsibility, regulatory relief, education freedom, and technology and innovation. Whether these reforms can propel the state into an economic powerhouse where citizens can thrive depends largely on having a capable workforce. With the leadership of the Governor and Legislature in the coming months, one door to opportunity can become a reality for economically disadvantaged Louisianans through gainful employment, enhancing prosperity for all.