Booneville Human Development Center

Booneville Human Development Center: Supporting Residents with Specialized Care in Logan County

The Booneville Human Development Center (BHDC), operated by the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS), is one of five state-run Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF/IID) providing 24-hour residential care for individuals with profound intellectual and developmental disabilities, often accompanied by persistent mental health needs. Located at 87 Reed Road, Highway 116 South, Booneville, AR 72927 in scenic Logan County, BHDC has served the region since opening in 1973 on a historic site (listed on the National Historic Register) spanning about 1,000 acres just south of Booneville. The nationally accredited facility specializes in residents with intellectual disabilities and severe, chronic mental illness, with ages ranging from 20 to 74 and a high percentage (around 94%) dually diagnosed.

BHDC offers expert, round-the-clock support focused on safety, skill development, and quality of life enhancement. Services include rehabilitation and training to help residents build new abilities, maintain established skills, and achieve greater independence where possible—through therapies (physical, occupational, speech), medical care, structured programs, and collaboration with community-based options via Arkansas Medicaid Waivers. As a residential alternative for those requiring more specialized supports than typically available in community settings, BHDC emphasizes dignity, inclusion, and personalized care plans in a least-restrictive environment.

In honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM)—observed every March by DHS and DDS—the center highlights resident voices and stories to raise awareness. DDAM celebrates the nearly 70,000 Arkansans with developmental disabilities and delays, promoting their right to live, learn, work, and participate fully in community life. It spotlights inclusion, overcoming barriers, competitive employment opportunities, and the value these individuals bring to diversity and society. DHS shares inspiring features on its Facebook page and resources like community programs, waivers (e.g., CES Waiver), early intervention, adult day treatment, and therapies. A key message: people with disabilities deserve choices in high-quality supports, whether home/community-based or in 24-hour facilities like BHDC, which complement broader DDS efforts for meaningful lives.

BHDC's role ties into Booneville's long-term care landscape, listed alongside facilities like Oak Manor Nursing & Rehab and Woodcrest Living Center on the city's website, underscoring the town's commitment to supporting vulnerable populations in a welcoming, rural setting near Mount Magazine and the Ouachita Mountains. For those needing more intensive care, BHDC provides a safe, inclusive home while partnering with community resources to foster growth and connection.

Contact BHDC at (479) 675-1401 (or fax 479-675-2518) for inquiries, referrals via the DDS Intake Portal, or to learn about services. More details are available at humanservices.arkansas.gov/facilities/booneville-human-development-center/ and the main DDS site. In southern Logan County, BHDC anchors essential care that honors individual potential and community inclusion—especially poignant during DDAM, when resident perspectives remind us of the strength, joy, and contributions of Arkansans with developmental disabilities.