Paula Davis, LSU School of Social Work Field Education Liaison, has been named the 2023 Adoption Advocate of the Year by the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). This prestigious award recognizes Davis for her exceptional dedication to advocating for children in need of loving homes and her commitment to training and developing best adoption practices and interventions.
The award ceremony took place on November 2, 2023, at the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion. During the event, DCFS representatives and First Lady Donna Edwards celebrated the accomplishments of the year, highlighting the 619 adoptions from foster care that occurred in the past year.
With over two decades of experience in both domestic and international adoption, Paula Davis has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving children who are more challenging to place in adoptive homes. In her role as Field Education Liaison and instructor at the LSU School of Social Work, Davis shares her expertise with the next generation of social workers, equipping them with the skills needed to make a positive impact on the lives of children and families involved in the foster care and adoption systems.
Davis’s state-wide contributions include building post-adoption services for families, supporting adoptive families on their journey to provide stable and loving environments for children. Her significant involvement in a partnership between DCFS and the national Center for Adoption Support and Education has provided crucial training for professionals in social work, behavioral health, and child welfare across the state.
Over the past two years, Paula has volunteered her time and expertise to offer training, with plans to continue in 2024. Her dedication has made a profound difference in the lives of children and families in Louisiana and beyond.
Beyond her educational and professional contributions, Davis actively participates in the Louisiana Law Institute’s Children’s Code Committee and the Louisiana Adoption Advisory Board, showcasing her commitment to improving the adoption and child welfare systems in the state.
“I am humbled to be recognized for my work in advocating for good adoption practice and in supporting those who have been impacted by adoption—birth families, adoptive families, and adopted people,” said Davis.
The 2023 Adoption Advocate of the Year award is a well-deserved acknowledgment of Paula Davis’ outstanding contributions and her pursuit of better outcomes for children in the foster care and adoption systems.
