CARC serves the developmentally disabled in Southwest Louisiana 24/7. During March, the nonprofit is pulling out all the stops to mark Developmental Disabilities Awareness month. In addition to hosting a fun-filled event for all, CARC is sharing key information for parents of special needs children of all ages, and it continues to promote understanding of a community that’s bigger and more varied than most folks realize.

CARC’s first-ever, community-wide Buddy Ball Tournament is Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the College Oaks Ball Field, 3518 Ernest St.

“It’s not too late to sign up to play or volunteer,” said Libby Leone, CARC executive director, “and we’re hoping plenty of spectators come out to cheer on their favorite team. These players deserve recognition. Among them you’ll see a few that can’t wait to show out. Others may have never had the opportunity to play America’s favorite pastime and don’t know what to expect. I think that shows a lot of courage.”

CARC’s Treasure Chest truck will also be on site to collect public donations that can be accrued from cleaning, de-cluttering, re-arranging and refreshing for spring. Receipts for donations can be provided.

John Coleman, assistant director, said CARC has never hosted a fundraising event like this, and Buddy Ball really hit home because CARC is “all about providing opportunities for people with disabilities and March is the month to celebrate their many achievements.”

Play is open to all ages of individuals with developmental disabilities and is not limited to only CARC participants. “Buddy” volunteers help the players who want the assistance, to bat and to round the bases.

It’s easy to register to play or volunteer — but make it quick. Free player T-shirts and sizes are limited. To get in the game, go to the CARC Buddy Ball Facebook page, CARC website or call 337-433-3620.   

The sooner the better

March is also a good time to remind parents that it’s never too soon to access services that could be available for a special needs child — of any age — through the Imperial Calcasieu Human Services Authority (IMCAL), according to Leone.     

“Accessing those services today gives children a better chance of getting the services and the provider they need when they exit the school system, often a challenging time for parents,” she said.

Developmentally disabled is an umbrella term for disabilities that generally present during the first few years of life, according to Coleman. These physical, behavioral, intellectual challenges — and it could be a combination – may be associated with delays in learning, language, behavior and physical development.

More people are under the “DD” umbrella than most people realize. In Louisiana, 716,266 individuals have a cognitive, hearing, vision or ambulatory disability that makes self-care or independent living difficult. Note that this number includes ambulatory disabilities.

An estimated 107,000 adults in the state have an intellectual or developmental disability, based on the last census. However, it’s important to remember, census takers began to show up in August, right before Hurricane Laura, and tried to continue their census taking before Southwest Louisiana residents who evacuated returned home.

Some organizations put the number of the developmentally disabled in the state at a higher number.        

CARC’s role

Over 70 years ago, a group of concerned parents  and other citizens stepped up to begin what is known as CARC today. Terminology was different then. Mental retardation was a neutral medical term, and used in the acronym CARC, which stood for Calcasieu Association of Retarded Citizens.

CARC is not referred to as an acronym any longer. Leone and Coleman said it is possible that the name could change in the future. But CARC has built up a positive, solid reputation in the community though the years, and its staff have been more focused on getting the Day Program up and running.

Closed in April 2020 because of COVID and the government’s stay-at-home mandate, Hurricane Laura irreparably damaged the building in August 2020. CARC has been searching for a facility near other CARC operations. Leone and Coleman were reluctant to share details about the restart of the popular five-hour program that will provide community inclusion, social interaction, life skills, STEM challenges, physical exercise and some vocational training, but it is possible that a facility could be ready as soon as fall 2025.

Currently CARC provides training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities, mainly at its two Treasure Chest stores. It has residential support services programs in a variety of housing types with 24-hour support. CARC can also provide support in clients’ housing.

CARC and other local providers also accept the Children’s Choice Waiver, which offers supplemental support to children with developmental disabilities who are at home with their families or will leave an institution to return home. This waiver is unique. It allows recipients between the ages of birth through 18 to receive a specified annual amount for support services and/or modifications.