Building Unlimited Opportunities
for People with Disabilities
The Arc Caddo-Bossier is a private, non-profit agency that provides an array of services and supportive programs for infants, children, teens and adults with disabilities and their families.
The Arc Caddo-Bossier achieves our Mission with these Core Values:
Compassion
Valuing every person with sensitivity and a listening heart
Integrity
Respecting others with truth and honor
Mission Driven
Demonstrating a commitment to inclusive communities
Accountability
Taking responsibility for one’s own actions
Team Player
Willing to work well with others to get the job done
History
In 1954 a group of parents founded The Arc Caddo-Bossier because they wanted to provide better learning opportunities for their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Some of the first classes for these children were held at St. John Berchmans Cathedral in Shreveport, Louisiana.
In 1962, Isabel Goldman made a donation to The Arc Caddo-Bossier to build Goldman School and Child Development Center located at 351 Jordan Street. In 2023, we expanded to a second location, The Arc Caddo-Bossier’s Goldman School at The Highland Center.
This is just one of the many programs and services that we offer to people with disabilities. In addition to children’s services, we offer advocacy, equine assisted activities, job training, employment, residential services, and more. After more than seven decades, The Arc Caddo-Bossier has honored the legacy of our founders by continuing to meet the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
The Arc Caddo-Bossier
Timeline
The Arc Caddo-Bossier was founded in 1954 by a small group of parents to promote the growth of their children with disabilities by developing programs and services to meet their needs. The original association had thirty members, and they held classes for school-age children (8-18 years) at St. John Berchmans Cathedral, 940 Margaret Place in Shreveport, Louisiana. By 1958, the association had ninety-eight students in three locations.
In June 1957, The Arc Caddo-Bossier started a Vocational program for ages 17 years and up. By the end of the 1950s, the Job Training Program gained new contracts and recognition from city leaders and business executives. This would later become Frost Industries.
1950s
1960s
In 1962, Isabel Goldman made a donation to The Arc Caddo-Bossier, so we could build The Arc Caddo-Bossier's Goldman School located at 351 Jordan Street.
Frost Industries continued to gain recognition during the 1960s. When our Executive Director at the time was asked about Frost Industries, Patrick McGinnis said, “We just taught them to do something they enjoyed. An achievement that made them feel worthwhile and happy—and resulted in receiving money to spend.”
In June 1976, Frost Industries launched a professional lawn and yard service.
In October of 1977, The Arc Caddo-Bossier opened the first Community Home located on Old Mooringsport Road (OMR) in Louisiana for six or fewer people with IDD. At the time of its opening, people with IDD could live at home with family members, in a nursing home, or at a large institution. Two more community homes were opened in 1979.
In January of 1979, The Arc Caddo-Bossier pioneered the Respite Care Services in Louisiana. This service offered skilled, trained care to people with IDD to give periodic relief to their family caregivers. This program became the state model for respite services.
1970s
1980s
Teachers, supervisors, coordinators, facilitators, and assistants became regular students at local universities, thereby enhancing the teaching and training abilities of our staff and promoting the proficiency of our programs.
Many of the adults who we served were passionate about sharing their testimonies at conventions, at state and national legislative forums, at local club meetings, to legislators, and for the media.
The Independent Living Program was pioneered in Louisiana by The Arc Caddo-Bossier; this program was designed to provide social support services for adults who could successfully live in their own apartments or home with assistance from a Direct Support Professional (DSP).
In 1983 our Residential Services division celebrated its 5th birthday, serving 42 people in 9 small community-based homes, 250 families with respite care, and support services for 24 people living independently in the community.
In 1985 The Arc Caddo-Bossier added supervised apartments to our Residential Services division.
In 1986 Frost Industries was awarded a contract to manage a post office located on Barksdale Air Force Base.
In 1996 The Arc Caddo-Bossier began negotiations to provide linen services to Barksdale Air Force Base Hospital.
On January 27, 1997, the Board of Directors incorporated The Arc Caddo-Bossier Foundation.
Also in 1997, our GREAT program was established at Lickskillet Ranch in Greenwood, Louisiana.
1990s
2000 - Present
In 2009 the Lickskillet Ranch was sold and The Arc Caddo-Bossier built a new equestrian facility near downtown Greenwood, Louisiana for our GREAT program.
In 2011 staff members of The Arc Caddo-Bossier worked in concert with other advocates to successfully pass legislation that addressed treatment and discipline in public schools to protect students with disabilities from the use of restraints and seclusion.
In 2024 The Arc Caddo-Bossier celebrated 70 years of building unlimited opportunities for people with disabilities.
The James Conly Center
The James Conly Center is home to Frost Industries and also serves as the location of the Conly Day Program, a state-licensed work activity center, providing part-time employment, job training, and productive activities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
People with disabilities, ages 18 and older, may apply for part-time employment, training, and other services at the James Conly Center. Our dedicated staff includes Certified Medication Administration Attendants, First Aid-trained employees, Qualified Intellectual Disability Professionals, instructors, supervisors, and an activity coordinator. We maintain a staff-to-client ratio of one to eight or less to ensure quality support and supervision.