Historical Facts about DDSD:

History of: DD Waiver and State General Funded Services- Chronological Overview of Services Provided to Persons with Developmental Disabilities.

1913      Judge Medler wrote that something should be done for persons with mental retardation in the newly created State of New Mexico.

1919      New Mexico Asylum at Las Vegas complained of receiving too many "mental incompetents." The State Federation of Women's Clubs and the State League of Woman Voters initiated activities to establish a home for persons with mental retardation.

1925      New Mexico State Legislature recognized the need for services for persons with mental retardation, but no appropriation was made.

1928      State funds were appropriated for a 50-bed dormitory for girls with mental retardation. The building designed as Dilon was built on land in Los Lunas, New Mexico.

1929      The first young woman was admitted to the facility initially described as a "home for wayward girls."

1930      Forty young women were receiving residential services.

1931      The residence was now referred to as a home for "mental defectives" and was named accordingly: The Home and Training School for Mental Defectives.

1932      A dormitory for boys with mental retardation was built in Los Lunas. Eighteen boys resided in the dormitory designed as Selligmen.

1947      The name of the residential facility was changed to Los Lunas Mental Hospital.

1953      Permissive legislation was introduced in the New Mexico State Legislature designating the State Superintendent of Department of Education as responsible for requesting more money and space for special education.

1955      The Los Lunas Mental Hospital was re-named Los Lunas Hospital and Training School (LLH&TS); 128 individuals resided there.

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