(The Center Square) – Louisiana is overhauling how prospective foster and kinship caregivers become certified, with state officials announcing a new digital platform they say will simplify the application process and help more children find family-based homes.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services announced the statewide rollout of HomeReady, an online system for the certification process for foster and kinship families beginning in October.

The platform is designed to reduce paperwork, improve communication between families and caseworkers, and shorten the time it takes to complete certification.

The change is part of the department's broader effort to strengthen Louisiana's child welfare system and increase the number of qualified families available to care for children who cannot safely remain in their homes.

HomeReady will replace many paper-based processes with a centralized online portal where applicants can complete forms, upload required documents, track their progress and communicate with agency staff throughout the certification process. The system also will give caseworkers better tools to manage applications and monitor each family's status.

State officials said the platform is intended to make becoming a foster or kinship caregiver less burdensome while maintaining Louisiana's licensing and safety standards.

As of May, there were roughly 48 foster homes for every 100 children.

HomeReady is expected to launch statewide in October. Current applicants and new prospective foster and kinship families will use the platform as part of the certification process.