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Arc Caddo Bossier asks Caddo Parish Commission for $100,000 to expand programs, frames work as workforce development
Summary
Arc Caddo Bossier told the commission it runs services for 800 people annually (about 640 in Caddo Parish), employs more than 540 staff, and operates on roughly $19 million a year; presenters asked the parish to consider a $100,000 grant to support programs and described contingency plans should Medicaid funding fall.
Representatives of Arc Caddo Bossier presented to the Caddo Parish Commission on Sept. 2, describing the agency's broad services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and asking the commission to consider a $100,000 contribution to support program expansion and sustain quality services.
Executive and development staff framed the organization as workforce development, saying the Arc employs more than 540 people and serves more than 800 people annually, with roughly 80% of those services located in Caddo Parish. Presenters told commissioners their annual operating budget is about $19,000,000 and that “a little less than $12,500,000” of that came from Medicaid in the prior year.
The Arc asked the commission to consider placing the organization “on the table” with other nonprofits that receive parish support. On contingency planning, presenters said the Arc maintains a foundation fund to protect core services from sudden state or federal funding shifts; they also described participating in a state rate methodology study and plans to press for sustainable reimbursement rates.
During Q&A, commissioners sought clarification about potential Medicaid cuts and the organization's contingency plan. The Arc said it would first seek community support, could draw on foundation reserves as a last resort, and planned to pursue legislative and administrative rate adjustments. Several commissioners offered to coordinate tours of Arc facilities and expressed support for the organization’s workforce-development framing.
The Arc’s formal funding request to the parish was described as a $100,000 proposal to support programs and divisions across day programs, children's services, residential programming and equine-assisted services.
