TARC-Terrebonne ARC history

State laws were enacted in 1963 requiring local boards to accommodate people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities in the public school system.

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.

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.

In 1974, Wonderland changed its name from Day Care Center to Wonderland Development Center.

The Bayou Day Care Center in Montegut was closed in 1979, and individuals were moved to the campus on McCord Road.

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 levels.

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.

TARC celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2002.

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

2008- Grand opening of Creative Employment Opportunities and Cedar Chest Boutique on Main Street.

2009- TARC opened the following businesses: Grand Designs, a screen-printing business, and the Hen House, a fresh yard egg business.

2010- TARC partnered with La-Terre Master Gardeners to host the Bonne Terre Garden Fair in April.

2011- TARC partnered with the Houma Visitor and Convention Bureau and started tourism tours.

2012- TARC celebrated 50 years of incorporation by changing its corporate name to Terrebonne Arc.

2013- TARC opened a second Cedar Chest Boutique (CCE-Cedar Chest East) on Grand Calliou Road and the Unit 11 Thrift Processing Unit Moved into CCE. TARC closed Sunshine Express Early Care and Education Center.

2014-Grand Designs closes its Plaza Calliou location and moves to the previous location of Sunshine Express on Gabasse Street and purchases an 8-Color Screen Printing Press.

2015- TARC purchases Periwinkle Pink on Enterprise Drive and this becomes the new location for Cedar Chest Boutique (West). Houma Grown begins salsa and pepper jelly operations.

2016-TARC adds six additional donation bins and this creates the second Donation Crew.

2017-TARC opens a fourth Cedar Chest Boutique (South) in the previous Pat’s of Chauvin building.

2018- TARC wins Provider of the Year from the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs.

2019- TARC wins the Lelia Shaw Award from the Arc of Louisiana.

In mid-March 2020, TARC received notice from the Louisiana Department of Health that COVID-19 posed a significant threat to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.