Jindal plans to bring together programs for at-risk children

Gov. Bobby Jindal says state programs for at-risk children are being pulled together from the state’s juvenile justice, social services, health and education departments. The first children affected by his executive order are 1,200 already in state care through residential treatment facilities, juvenile prisons, alternative schools, psychiatric hospitals and other state programs. Jindal says he hopes the changes will catch children with discipline, addiction or educational problems earlier so they can stay at home, rather than needing state-supervised care when their problems intensify. Jindal also says the consolidation of services could shrink state costs by eliminating duplication across programs and agencies. Some of the changes will require federal approval governing the use of Medicaid money.