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.
