TARC :: History

After this particular incident, Jeffrey and Nellie decided to locate other families and organize “some form of a special school” to help train people with intellectual disabilities. They pleaded to various civic clubs in the community and approached the local School Board. With much dedication and hard work, a classroom was made available at Terrebonne Elementary School in 1953. Mrs. Yvonne Pellegrin was selected as the first instructor of a class of 8 students. This class was one of the first in the state, as well as the first in Terrebonne Parish.

Nellie became the first president of the Terrebonne Association for Retarded Citizens from 1952 to 1954. During this time, Jeffrey received a promotion in Lafayette, and the Guidry family moved and became instrumental in helping the ARC in their new town.

In 1960, TARC fell upon bad times and was abandoned, but was revived by a pioneering group of parents and teachers. In 1962, $5,000 was raised by the group of parents and teachers, and the Terrebonne Association for Retarded Citizens was formed as a non-profit Louisiana corporation.

State laws were enacted in 1963 requiring local boards to accommodate people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities in the public school system. Terrebonne’s school system decided to allow TARC to provide this service because of its experience and success. One year later, TARC rented and renovated a house on Goode Street and moved in with three students, then grew to two classes as Wonderland Day Care Center, the first TARC School. Wonderland later moved to East Main Street.

In 1966, Wonderland moved to what was then known as the Tri-T building adjacent to the Municipal Auditorium where the program expanded to four classes and the first bus was purchased to transport students.

TARC became affiliated with the ARC of Louisiana and ARC of the United States in 1967. Due to a greater need than anticipated, TARC turned its attention to South Terrebonne and founded Bayou Day Care Center at Montegut and Grand Caillou.

One of the most monumental decisions in Terrebonne Parish was when the Parish Council added funding for TARC through a millage tax. In 1968, TARC acquired the millage from the parish to administer to the health and educational requirement of individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities in Terrebonne Parish.

TARC then obtained the Houma Air Force Radar site at Number One McCord Road to become the campus in 1972. The following year, the Houma Air Force Radar Site was dedicated to TARC. All TARC classrooms were consolidated at the new campus. In 1974, Wonderland changed its name from Day Care Center to Wonderland Development Center. At this time, TARC changed its name to the Terrebonne Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc (TARC).

In 1975, a Louisiana residential care license was approved. In addition, a grant application was made to the Department of Health Education and Welfare, and TARC built its first sheltered workshop as well as the cafeteria.

The Bayou Day Care Center in Montegut was closed in 1979, and individuals were moved to the campus on McCord Road. The greenhouse was opened. In 1982, the playground and Music Hall/Chapel was constructed as well the TARC Restaurant. In 1986, the Independent Apartment Living Program began.

In 1992, the Terrebonne Parish School Board separated school services from TARC’s vocational services due to funding changes at the State and Federal level.

TARC held its first annual Christmas Wonderland in 1995.

In 2000, a tornado hit TARC’s campus destroying the greenhouses, damaging administrative offices, and other buildings. During the same year, TARC opened the Sunshine Express Early Care and Education Center.

TARC celebrated their 40th Anniversary in 2002.

In 2003, TARC received a 3-year International Accreditation from CARF (Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities). This was a high honor for TARC.

In 2006, TARC reapplied for accreditation and received another 3-year CARF certification.

TARC’s millage was renewed by 85% support in 2007. New business ideas and names were trademarked, which are: Bayou Packers, Bayouland Yard Krewe, Cajun Crate Company, The Cedar Chest Boutique, Houma Grown, La Maison d’Art, Lagniappe Cleaning Company, Le Bon Temps Bakery, and Creative Employment Opportunities.

In 2008, TARC opened its first businesses off campus: a thrift store, The Cedar Chest Boutique, and our supported employment division, Creative Employment Opportunities.