The Dream Begins

In the early 1970s Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital employed the only physical therapist within Nacogdoches County, Mary Van Hoorn. While her treatment with patients within the hospital was successful, after care for discharged hospital patients was non-existent, despite the fact that it was often needed. Through her vision and dream, the Nacogdoches Treatment Center for Handicapped Children & Adults, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1972.

The purpose of the new center was to provide physical therapy for people who had sustained an injury, who were recovering from surgery, or who needed long term therapy in order to maintain their physical condition and independence. With the establishment of a board of directors and the hiring of an executive director to oversee the organization, the NTC began searching for other needs within the community, which were not being provided.

Van Hoorn, along with the first Executive Director, Scotty Sherrill, chose a butterfly as the logo because it was beautiful and innocent. They chose the tag line, "Walk in love," a verse from Ephesians, because it was a favorite Bible verse of both the women and because they felt it would encourage the clients.

Timeline of Success

For three decades the NTC has been helping people of all ages live richer, fuller lives. It has been a pioneer and example for other agencies to emulate. In addition to the physical therapy program started at the Center, other programs provided are:

• 1973 – The arts and crafts program for local nursing homes began with NTC. After many years of success with the NTC program nursing home facilities began hiring full-time activity directors to meet the needs of their patients. Consequently the NTC stopped its arts and crafts program as the nursing homes began fulfilling the patients needs and began looking for other community needs.

• 1975 - The first annual craft bazaar was held. The craft bazaar fulfilled two needs. First, volunteer crafters, who are mainly retired people, were able to meet at the treatment center on a weekly basis, thereby staying vital and active in the community. And second, the bazaar serves as a fundraiser for the Center. The bazaar is one of the most successful programs at the Center and continues to be held the second Friday in November each year.

• 1978 – A quilting group was started for the senior citizens. This program encouraged its participants to get out of the house and remain active in the community. Today we have quilters of all ages with 15 to 20 members meeting at the Center each Wednesday. Fees are collected from the community based on each quilting project and are donated to the general fund of the NTC.

• 1989 – Successful treatment of physical therapy patients led to an expansion of therapeutic treatments. Many patients, especially those who suffered strokes, also needed speech therapy.

Staff at the NTC joined forces with Speech Pathology staff and students at Stephen F. Austin State University. The Center provided and off-campus lab with observation room in which a licensed speech pathologist and master’s level students could provide speech therapy to NTC clients.

The speech therapy program was later expanded to include children who were not yet school age who needed treatment before attending school. Most individuals receiving speech therapy were not eligible for insurance to pay a provider, or they had no insurance coverage.

This program was dissolved in 2001 due to so few patients and no funds coming in to help support the required Speech Pathologist’s salary. Also the clients’ needs could be met through the Stephen F. Austin State University’s Speech Lab.

• 1990 – Still looking for opportunities to provide services to the community, the NTC discovered a need to assist disabled individuals with vocational preparation training and specialized job development. Grants provide the primary funding of the program, however, fees are charged to agencies such as The Texas Rehabilitation Commission when they request us to provide our program to their clients.

• 1995 – A state agency approached the Center stating a need existed for students with severe disabilities attending Stephen F. Austin State University. These students, who lived on-campus, needed personal care attendants to assist them with their physical daily preparations for class attendance. This would entail assisting with showers, dressing and meeting their daily personal health care needs in order for them to successfully function as a student.

This program ended in 1998 as more in-home-health care companies were established in the area. Another provider agreed to serve clients on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus.

• 1996 – As Nacogdoches grew, so did the number of hospitals and private physical therapy programs being provided to the community. Physical therapy services were terminated when the different community organizations filled the needs of its members. Once again the NTC began looking for community needs not being provided by other agencies or organizations.

It was in August of 1996 that the Center began planning for a Daytime Activity Program for individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease or other Dementia. Usually, there is one primary in-home caregiver for the Alzheimer/Dementia client who is unable to get relief from the daily routine of care.

With a bit of remodeling, the Center provides a safe environment for these clients to enjoy a four-hour per day program of mind-stimulating activities while caregivers enjoy the respite.

Currently the program provides services for an average of 20 clients, five days per week as well as a support group the last Thursday of each month where a free luncheon is served at noon. Speakers, professional counselors and group discussions give comfort to caregivers who have family members with this devastating disease.

• Dec. 1997-April 2001– The Work Connection Program, which helps individuals with disabilities with job seeking skills and personal job development expanded to Lufkin. The Lufkin program was discontinued when the Deep East Texas Council of Governments contracted another agency to handle most of the training for individuals with disabilities in Lufkin.

• 1998—The Center discontinued the attendant care porgram. WIth more in-home-healthcare companies being established in the area, a healthcare provider agreed to serve clients on the SFA campus to provide personal care and to make students ready for class attendance.

• Sept.1997-1998– The Center began providing computer training to high school students in special education who were transitioning from school to the work world. At that time, schools were not providing this opportunity to these individuals. However, computers are now available to all levels of students attending high school. 

•1998-2005—The computer program was reorganized and became a basic and advanced computer skills training program for any individual with disabilities who needs computer skills in order to enter the competitive job market. The program ended in 2005.

• April 2001—The Center discontinued the Lufkin Work Connection program. The Deep East Texas Council of Governments contracted with another agency to handle most of the training for individuals with disabilities in Lufkin.

• May 2001—The Center discontinued the Speech Therapy Program due to fewer clients utilizing the services and lack of funds to support the speech pathologist's salary. Client needs had the ability to be met through the SFA Speech Lab and other locations where master's degree students could perform practicum internships.

• May 2001-Present – A HUD Grant was awarded to Independence Manor I & II and NTC for a Services Coordinator. The grant was written to include a vendor whose personnel would serve as the services coordinator. The NTC is that vendor. 

There are 70 plus clients at Independence Manor I & II, and are individuals with physical/mental challenges and disabilities living in an accessible apartment complex. These clients have special daily living needs to maintain independence and the job of the services coordinator is to help find services through government, state or private agencies for their assistance in the Nacogdoches area. The HUD Grant pays the salary of the services coordinator as well as supplies, for the job to be performed.

•April 2004—The Work Connection Program was discontinued due to a lack of funding. The program received original funding in 1990 through Federal Educational Grants and received additional grants from the same organization through 1999. Funding from various grants supported the program until 2001 when the Center was awarded a three-year grant from the TLL Temple Foundation. The funds were expended a the end of April 2004. The Center applied for several grants to support the program, but none were received, and the program closed.

• 2009 — The Respite Weekend program was started to allow caregivers an extended time away from the responsibilities of caring for their loved one with Alzheimer's/dementia. It is for individuals who participate in the Alzheimer's Day Activity Program only. It is scheduled for the second weekend of the month. We believe that having clients stay in place with familiar surroundings and cared for by familiar faces provides a sense of security and less anxiety for the client and the caregivers. The cost is $180 per weekend. Space is limited so call early to reserve a place. Contact Kathy Strong at 936-569-7173.