Welcome to Healing Homes of Cenla
Where foster care feels like hope—and healing feels like home.
At Healing Homes, we believe every child deserves more than just a placement—they deserve a place to belong. Founded by foster parent and advocate Jessica Lachney, Healing Homes of Cenla was born from the heartbreak of watching too many children—especially those aged 10+—fall through the cracks of an overwhelmed system.
We create family-style, short-term homes that prioritize safety, structure, and support. Each child who enters our doors receives more than just shelter. They’re met with consistent caregivers, trauma-informed routines, and a team committed to getting them the services they need—whether it’s an IEP, medical plan, therapy, or all of the above.
These aren’t institutions. These are homes.
Rooted in connection.
Focused on healing.
Designed to help children grow toward the futures they deserve.
Explore our mission, meet our team, and learn how you can help us stand in the gap for Louisiana’s most vulnerable kids.
Our Philosophy
We believe that by integrating children from hard places into family-style homes rooted in connection and growth, we can help them move toward lasting belonging. Whether their path leads to reunification, foster placement, or adoption, every child deserves to be surrounded by people who see their worth and are committed to their healing.
By partnering with the local nonprofit Jess founded in 2023, Starfish Ministries, we create a web of wraparound care that surrounds each child with support—and hope.
What Makes Healing Homes Different
At Healing Homes of Cenla, we don’t just provide temporary placement—we create environments where children can breathe, stabilize, and begin to heal.
Therapeutic Support
We offer trauma-informed care and individualized case management, working closely with local medical and mental health providers to ensure each child’s physical and emotional needs are met.
Academic Stability
Children are enrolled in local schools and receive daily homework help, educational advocacy, and the encouragement needed to re-engage with learning.
Daily Rhythms
Routines matter. Our homes provide consistent schedules, life skills training, and shared responsibilities to : promote personal growth and emotional safety.
Faith-Based Encouragement
Spiritual support is available through voluntary mentoring, prayer, and connections to local churches and youth groups for those who choose it.
Transition Planning
From the moment a child arrives, we begin preparing for what comes next. During their stay, our team works alongside the child and their care team to better understand their individual strengths, needs, routines, and goals. We help coordinate counseling, therapies, medication management, school planning, medical care, and other needed resources so those supports can continue beyond our home. By providing up to 90 days of stability, we have time to get to know each child and help create a thoughtful, individualized transition plan built around who they are and what they need to move forward.
Community Connection
Children are integrated into community life through local events, service opportunities, and relationship-building with mentors and neighbors.