Around this time in 1972, the groundbreaking for a much-needed facility took place here in Bossier parish for the Northwest Louisiana State School. It was an act of the Louisiana Legislature that made the facility a reality. And the culmination of work started by the Caddo-Bossier Association for Retarded Children, who sought a residential facility in Northwest Louisiana.
At that time, there were 1,800 special needs children on the waiting list for admission to state schools. And the only schools available were located in the central and southern sections of the state. The nearest one for Bossier residents was on the outskirts of Pineville, making visiting children a hardship for parents of Northwest Louisiana.
After being elected in 1968, Senator Jack Montgomery made it his number one mission to see a state school established in Northwest Louisiana. At the groundbreaking, in introducing Governor John J. McKeithen, Montgomery gave credit to all area solons for their help getting the project for this area. He specifically thanked Senator J. Bennet Johnston for “taking the initial interest in the project and then helping me to see that the project was kept active and to become a reality.”
Gov. McKeithen admitted the failure of the state to keep up with the needs of the intellectually disabled in regards to facilities available, and the Northwest Louisiana State School was “a tremendous step in the right direction.” The John D. Caruthers family donated the 90-acres for the facility. Gov. McKeithen praised them for their “devotion and interest in such a needed project to actually give the land for the facility.”
At the time of the groundbreaking, the estimated cost of the overall project was $7.5 million. Federal and state funds, a total of $2 million, were secured to build the first phase of more than 100,000 square feet, a 108-bed non-ambulatory unit, and two 24-bed cottages for ambulatory patients 17 years of age and older. The goal was to house between 650 and 750 patients upon completion of the entire project.
The first phase also included an administration building, professional service building, total care facility, educational building, kitchen and dining area, personal service building, and a maintenance and warehouse building.
The goal was to develop the facility into an all-purpose school capable of handling all psychological ranges and handicaps. This school was the fourth all-purpose state school in Louisiana. Providing an environment more closely related to everyday life was a primary goal in designing the facility.
“State Department of Hospital officials said future plans hope to include a gymnasium, training building, recreation building, a diagnostic center, a canteen and an auditorium. Outdoor facilities in the future stage include a swimming pool, picnic area, softball and baseball fields and space for track and field events.”
The Northwest Louisiana State School is now called the Arc of Acadiana. They are “committed to securing for all people with disabilities the opportunity to develop, participate, and live life to their fullest potential.” This facility has been a vital part of Northwest Louisiana for nearly 50 years.
By: Amy Robertson
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