Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 26-407
 
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RE:
Advisory Opinion regarding whether the Code of Governmental Ethics prohibits an employee of the Department of Children and Family Services renders compensated services to Unlimited Alternatives to Change.
Facts:
Andrea Bryant is currently dually employed as a Foster Care Supervisor with the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services ("DCFS") and as a Mental Health Professional with Unlimited Alternatives to Change ("UAC"). As a Foster Care Supervisor for DCFS, Ms. Bryant supervises foster care case management activities and oversees staff responsible for serving children and families involved with the child welfare system. Ms. Bryant's duties include supervising employees, reviewing case activities, ensuring compliance with agency policies, and supporting the delivery of foster care services.

As a Mental Health Professional for UAC, Ms. Bryant provides mental health support services to clients. Ms. Bryant does not provide mental health services to any individual who has at any time had a case with DCFS, whether currently or previously. She does not use any confidential information obtained through her employment with DCFS in connection with UAC, and she does not participate in referrals, recommendations, contractual matters, authorizations, or decisions involving UAC in her capacity as a DCFS employee. Moreover, Ms. Bryant's work for UAC is performed completely separately from DCFS; she does not perform any work for UAC during state work hours, and she does not use any state resources in connection with UAC. There is no existing nor sought after transaction between UAC and DCFS.

Law:
La. R.S. 42:1111C(1) prohibits a public servant from receiving any thing of economic value for any service, the subject matter of which is devoted substantially to the responsibilities, programs, or operations of the agency of the public servant and in which the public servant has participated.

La. R.S. 42:1111C(2) No public servant and no legal entity in which the public servant exercises control or owns an interest in excess of twenty-five percent, shall receive any thing of economic value for or in consideration of services rendered, or to be rendered, to or for any person during his public service unless such services are: (d) Neither performed for nor compensated by any person or from any officer, director, agent, or employee of such person, if such public servant knows or reasonably should know that such person has or is seeking to obtain contractual or other business or financial relationships with the public servant's agency; conducts operations or activities which are regulated by the public employee's agency; or has substantial economic interests which may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the public employee's official duty.

Recommendations:
Adopt proposed advisory opinion.

Assigned Attorney: Kelsey Simmons
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2026-407 - AO - Andrea Bryant
2026-407 - Advisory Opinion Draft - Bryant