A unique program that’s keeping mothers and their children together during a mother’s addiction treatment recently celebrated a milestone, of sorts. It has now been a little more than a year since the Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse of Northwest Louisiana (CADA), opened its Family Renewal Program in December 2024.
In 2025, the 12-bed residential treatment program hosted a total of 20 women and 24 children at its newly-renovated wing of its CADA - Bossier Treatment Center on Fullilove Drive in Bossier City. The pregnant women & mothers receive the treatment they need, along with education on parenting and other life skills.
CADA Executive Director Janet Miller spoke about the success of the Family Renewal Program, on an upcoming edition of the Red River Radio program Community Connections. Miller told show host Heather Carpenter, PhD, that part of CADA’s success involves providing the children with educational and positive activities as well, all in a safe environment. “We’re breaking a stigma for pregnant women, and women with children, to say I do have a problem, I need help, and don’t criminalize me, but give me true help in parenting, and being sober, in how to integrate back into a work-job situation, school.”
While a typical, maximum stay is set at 90 days, medical necessity may require longer treatment, which Miller said may continue for as long as nine months. Miller suggests anyone wanting to learn more about this program to call CADA at (318) 222-8511 anytime, 24 hours a day/7 days a week and ask for intake admission staff. A free, confidential screening is available. Often, during such a call is the time when potential clients are first introduced to not only the Family Renewal Program, but also one of the many other in-and-outpatient treatment and counseling services.
CADA, she explained, also has a 30 day residential treatment program, along with what she characterized as intensive outpatient therapy services. Miller emphasized that care is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but is instead tailored to the client’s personal needs.
During the Community Connections program, Dr. Carpenter directed some of her questions to get to the heart of what makes CADA a successful nonprofit. Carpenter serves as executive director of LSU Shreveport’s Institute for Nonprofit Administration and Research (INAR).
Miller pointed to the success of their clients as proof positive that such an agency is helping improve the community as a whole, one person and one family at a time. She recalled during a recent client treatment program graduation ceremony, “had a woman share about when she went through our 30 day program and was able to talk to the court system to obtain two of her small children to move into our Family Renewal wing. Then she spent some months there, and now is in [an] apartment with her children and has some custody of them. And she’s sober and knowing how to parent and work and be within this community different. That’s what we’re about is successful life changes.”
Community Connections airs on Red River Radio on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. The air date for the episode featuring Janet Miller is still to be determined.
