In 1982, following several alcohol-related incidences and an accident resulting in the deaths of four Flathead High School (FHS) students - parents, school administrators, and other concerned community members held what would resemble a town meeting in the FHS auditorium. It was presented to all in attendance that an estimated one-third of the students currently enrolled were involved at some level with alcohol and other drugs. The impact of that involvement was likened to an epidemic.

"If we had one-third of our student body ill because of measles, we would close the school. And yet we have an illness going unaddressed, which has the potential to cause death to a significant number of students if we, as a community do not take action," reported Bill Vogt, then principal of Flathead High School.

Flanked by the county sheriff, city police chief, county commissioners, county attorney, members of the clergy, businessmen, teachers, administrators, and parents, the call to action was presented. Community members expressed "...this is not just a 'school problem,' but a community problem and the school needs the community's support to make it work."

In 1983, the first Community Intervention Workshop was presented to a 50 member cross section of the Northern Flathead Valley. Student support groups soon followed, facilitated by specially trained community volunteers and school personnel, working in teams of two per group. All funding ($32,000) was raised by community members who solicited $250 scholarships for representatives from all segments of the community. Community ownership of the program was paramount to the early founders of the program.

The first Community Core Team meeting, the organizational arm of Flathead Community Awareness Responsive Education (CARE) was held in 1985. This was to be the driving force behind the organization, specifically designed to include the school, but to reflect community ownership of the CARE program. The original team of people realized that when school budgets tighten, there was always the reality that any programs considered "non-essential" to academics were targeted. The Community Core Team felt invested enough in the concept of CARE that they agreed upon community ownership, built on a strong school-community partnership.

In 1987, the CARE program became a recognized corporation by the State of Montana and began seeking available funding from the Office for Substance Abuse Prevention. Securing a three year, $150,000 grant, the organization hired a part-time coordinator to direct the existing programs, and began building a video library for use by outlying schools, parents, and other groups, as part of their prevention efforts. This was the first of many outreach programs designed to include the 21 feeder school populations that impacted the school community in District #5.

The first Safe and Drug Free Schools grant money was received in 1988, again targeting community/school partnerships for prevention efforts. One underlying thread kept surfacing from the perspective of those students who were making healthy choices, but had little or no support. Efforts were targeting those students who were working to maintain their abstinence.

That support came in the next year with the implementation of the Students Taking A New Direction/Teens in Partnerships (STAND/T.I.P.) groups. These groups came out of a small core of students who wanted to provide support for themselves and others, who wanted to have fun, recreate, support, and serve in their community. The STAND kids were in place at the senior high level while the T.I.P. students had their own grade 7-9 activities (later these groups would all be called STAND)

In that same year, 1989, one of the founders of CARE, Beverly Braig, put together a group of local professionals and prevention advocates, who collaborated to present a shorter, more concise adult workshop for training local volunteers. The expertise available locally to train volunteers, cut training costs, and provide an on-going support for those who completed training, became apparent. The birth of "A Basic Concept (ABC) Workshop" enabled the training and educational process for many more community members at a fraction of the cost to bring in a training team from Minnesota. Feedback from those who had been CI trained and participated in the ABC Workshop as well, indicated that the level of instruction was very comparable, if not more applicable having been adapted to local issues and resources.

1990 brought another step toward starting prevention at the middle school level. The first " Kids Camp" was held for 45 local 7th and 8th grade youths from 27 surrounding schools. The camp was specifically designed to get good information and prevention messages to the classroom leaders. Students were picked through a variety of methods, providing a very strong cross section of student leaders. This camp also had a parent component incorporated to help stress the message of healthy lifestyle choices for both students and parents. Many of these students were leaders in the fall where the First Annual Red Ribbon Campaign was held in the Kalispell area. This is now the most visible annual national and local community prevention campaign, involving students, schools, parents, and community volunteers.

Using the STAND students as catalysts, a non-alcohol, seniors-only event, "Senior Cruise" was planned prior to the 1991 Flathead High School graduation ceremony, again designed as an event for students who chose this rather than the traditional "Senior Kegger." This even now has a maximum capacity of 160 students and is usually sold out in a matter of hours when tickets go on sale. STAND students have a priority as seniors and are very protective that this retains its alcohol and other drug-free status.

STAND students also have a priority to attend Teen Camp, a weekend winter event planned and presented as reinforcing healthy lifestyle choices and showcasing alternative healthy activities. This camp was offered for the first time in 1992, and has had a full attendance each year.

Because several opportunities seems available to older students, in 1993, the first Kalispell Jr. High "Kids Day" was hosted for K.J.H.S. eighth grade students as well as incoming 9th graders from the feeder schools. The "Kids Day" originated from K.J.H.S. staffers who noticed the vulnerability of outlying students who came from small schools into a junior high of approximately 1000 students. The day was targeted at introducing the outlying students not only to the building, but an opportunity to meet and build rapport with other students they would see again in the fall. The day was so successful, that it has become an annual tradition and was the springboard for "Sophomore Day."

In 1994, the positions of CARE Coordinator and Safe and Drug Free Schools Coordinator were merged to create the CARE Director position and adding one additional office staff person. It was also in 1994 that Flathead CARE became a formal United Way agency. During this time the Board of Directors of Flathead CARE also began to take more of a role in leadership for the organization by holding regular executive board meetings, appointing a nominating committee and planning and carrying out board retreats on a yearly basis. After years of special grantee status, we were encouraged by the United Way director to petition as a full agency, which offered not only financial assistance, but also a great deal of help with extended legal, organizational, and historical benefits. In 1995 Kay Hopkins was honored as the Volunteer of the Year by United Way for her leadership and direction on the development of the Parent Network Directory.

The events for 1996 were geared toward offering alternative activities for community youth. A formal partnership with The Summit, a local health facility, created "Teens After Hours," a program for youth in grades 7-12 each Saturday night from 10-12 pm for a $1 fee. Students are allowed access to a wide variety of recreational equipment such as a climbing wall, swimming pool, basketball and volleyball courts, racquetball, etc...The facility fees are paid by community donations and United Way funding. In 1997 CARE received the United Way Volunteer of the Year Award to recognize three board of director members for their work with the Teens After Hours program. This also meant a cash award for Flathead CARE Another event, Rockfest, was promoted for youth and was popular enough that it was brought back the following year as well. At that point, it was cancelled due to liability issues.

Sophomore day had its' premiere in late August, 1996. Sophomores only are invited to the senor high school and are the only students in attendance. Each year, this isolated day helps them to become comfortable with staff and the surroundings through games, activities, and speakers. A side benefit is the noticeable class bonding, something a little more difficult to facilitate when the class size tops 650 students!

In early fall of 1998, Flathead CARE not only celebrated their 15th Anniversary but also adopted a Strategic Plan for 1999-2000. The Strategic Plan serves as a formal guideline for the organization to follow for determining agency direction, including goals/objectives for Operational/Organizational Structure, Financial Structure and Service & Programs. In addition, the community agency, Flathead CARE merged with the Safe and Drug Free School Advisory Council which now is a responsibility of Flathead CARE The merger was given a go ahead from the Office of Public Instruction.

1999 has brought about an Interlocal Agreement between School District No. 5 and Flathead CARE The purpose of the agreement is "to provide the most comprehensive and best use of the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Preventions Funding with Flathead CARE, working as an advisory board giving their time, commitment, and energy to administer this grant for the Safe and Drug Free School Consortium of schools." This agreement will be renewable annually in May every year with an operational period being July 1 through June 30 of each year.

In the first few months of 1999, the organization established the Flathead CARE/Bernie Lund Memorial Scholarship for a graduating senior from Flathead High School in the amount of $500.00. The scholarship application and criteria will be administered by the Career Center at Flathead High School with assistance from a few Flathead CARE board and community members.

The year 2000 brought about an exciting new direction for Flathead CARE starting with a training event, "Prevention Works!! Becoming An Asset Builder" that was held February 25-26 at The Summit. This training inspired future commitment and action toward creating healthy communities for youth using the 40 Developmental Assets framework developed by Search Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Flathead CARE adopted this model for enhancing their programs and activities.

More changes cam about in the fall of 2001 when DeAnn Thomas, the Director of CARE, resigned from the organization. The Board of Directors conducted a search and hired Katharine Thompson to begin duties as the Executive Director in November, 2001.

In September of 2002, the 1st annual Flathead CARE and STAND Retreat was held at Trinity Lutheran Camp on the eastside of Flathead Lake. Flathead CARE hopes to carry on this tradition as a way to include a strong youth voice in the planning and work of the organization, including ways to celebrate CARE's 20th Anniversary. In honor of this CARE and STAND held a dinner banquet, as a fundraiser as well as honoring the 20 years of CARE. Perhaps this organization will have 20 more years to come.