To address the continuing threat of terrorism and to work with the federal Department of Homeland Security (created in 2002 following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001), homeland security in Louisiana in 2003 operated under the authority of executive order; the adjutant general was designated as the state homeland security advisor.
Louisiana's ethics laws are administered by the Commission on Ethics for Public Employees and the Board of Ethics for Elected Officials, both under the Department of Civil Service. Departments focus on labor, natural resources, revenue, elections and registration, environmental quality, justice, social services, state civil service, and wildlife and fisheries.
Educational services are provided through the Department of Education, which has jurisdiction over elementary, secondary, higher, and vocational-technical instruction, as well as the state schools for the visually impaired, hearing-impaired, and other handicapped children. Highways, waterways, airports, and mass transit are the province of the Department of Transportation and Development. Environmental affairs, conservation, forestry, and mineral resources are the responsibility of the Department of Natural Resources. The Motor Vehicle Office, Fire Protection Office, Emergency Preparedness Office, and Alcoholic Beverage Control Office are all within the Department of Public Safety.
Health and welfare services are administered mainly through the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH), which provides welfare services under the Office of Family Security, services for the blind and vocational rehabilitation through the Department of Social Services Office of Rehabilitation Services, and special training for the mentally handicapped under the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities/DHH. The Head Start program for preschool age children is administered by the Department of Education. Such programs as supplemental food and summer youth recreation are administered by the Department of Social Services, which also helps develop and administer housing and urban renewal programs.