About the NLHSD

What is the Northwest Louisiana Human Services District (NLHSD)?

The Northwest Louisiana Human Services District was created by Act 373 in the 2008 Legislative Session. The goal of the NLHSD is to serve the parishes of Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Bienville, Red River, Desoto, Sabine, and Natchitoches as a Local Governmental Entity (LGE).  On May 19, 2014, the district completed its readiness assessment and began operating as a fully authorized Local Governmental Entity on July 1, 2014.

NLHSD is one of 10 LGEs created by the Louisiana Legislature as part of a statewide integrated human services delivery system.  With local management, LGEs provide behavioral health and developmental disabilities services to the residents of Louisiana.  Accordingly, LGEs operate within a framework anchored in clear public policy objectives, well-defined local responsibilities, and accountability measures designed to assure quality services are delivered efficiency and effectively.

The NLHSD Board of Directors

The NLHSD Board of Directors consists of a total of 12 board members. One representative is selected from each of the nine parishes in addition to three members appointed by the Governor of Louisiana.

David L. Hoey

Caddo Parish

Board Secretary

Michelle Douglas Hartley

Bossier Parish

Board Member

Yolanda Clark

DeSoto Parish

Board Member

Vacant

Governor Appointee

Board Member

Karisma Jones Williams

Red River Parish

Board Treasurer

Crystal Rabo

Bienville Parish

Board Chair

Vacant

Natchitoches Parish

Board Member

Trudie Abner

Governor Appointee

Board Vice Chair

D. McCoy

Webster Parish

Board Member

Vacant

Claiborne Parish

Board Member

Sara Ebarb

Sabine Parish

Board Member

Kristie Copeland

Governor Appointee

Board Member

Click HERE for board meeting notices, minutes of previous board meetings, and other board information.

The Senior Leadership Team

As the first Executive Director of the Northwest Louisiana Human Services District, Doug Efferson facilitated the transition of services from the Department of Health and Hospitals to the District and under the governance of the Board of Directors.  He works with the Senior Leadership Team to operationalize the Mission an Vision of the district.

Doug Efferson

Executive Director

Sharon Doyle

Developmental Disabilities Director

Gloria Lott

Finance Director

Allie Allen

Operations Director

Michele Impson

Human Resource Director

Wendy McDowell

Behavioral Health Director

The NLHSD Care Team

The District has over 100 employed and contracted team members providing services through the nine parish service area. Additionally, the District contracts with a number of provider organizations in the community to expand and enhance the services available in the communities being served.

Employment Opportunities

Employment opportunities are posted on the Louisiana Civil Service Job Seekers website at jobs.civilservice.louisiana.gov using the “LDH- Northwest Louisiana Human Services District” department filter. For questions, please call our Human Resources Department at 318-676-5111.