Serving Montana for more than 40 years
1974
- In 1974, AWARE was formed by a small group of parents sitting around a kitchen table discussing opportunities and possibilities for their children with special needs. Their discussion led to the opening of a small furniture refinishing business where people with developmental disabilities could learn a trade and make a valuable contribution to the community. Our name – AWARE (previously Anaconda Work and Residential Enterprises) – reflects our original mission in 1976 when we became incorporated, and it continues to do so as we have evolved over time.
1976
- AWARE Inc. became incorporated to carry out its mission of serving people with disabilities.
1980
- AWARE opened its doors to deinstitutionalization, adding its first group home to provide services primarily to people coming from Montana Developmental Center.
- AWARE received its first CARF accreditation for developmental disabilities (DD) services in 1980.
1989
- AWARE added transportation services, so consumers could get to and from work. It also served as a paratransit program for people with disabilities and the elderly in Butte.
1990
- AWARE added its first intensive group homes for youth in Anaconda and Butte.
- AWARE expanded its group homes throughout Montana and operated a home in New Mexico for a short period.
1991
- AWARE added adult developmental disability case management services in Big Horn and Carbon counties.
1997
- AWARE added community support services for youth and children including youth case management, outpatient therapy, therapeutic foster care, transitional living and CSCT services.
1998
- AWARE opened a recycling program in Anaconda to provide clients job opportunities.
- AWARE began providing telepsychiatry.
- AWARE opened the Child Advocacy Center in Helena.
1992
- AWARE developed an internal training program called HELP with a state-accredited manual.
- AWARE opened the Galen campus.
2001
- AWARE began accepting kids into the Galen program who would be served out of state.
- AWARE began Early Childhood Services.
- AWARE began mental health case management.
2002
- AWARE became a qualified provider for developmental disability services for children.
- AWARE began delivering intensive family education and support services to children and adolescents with developmental disabilities in Western Montana.
- AWARE developed the Montana Home Choice Coalition.
2003
- AWARE acquired REM and opened residential, work/day and transportation services in Billings.
2004
- AWARE expanded the recycling program into Butte, which laid the groundwork for the AWARE Business Network: Bloom (2011), Growth thru Art and KANA (2012), and Cold Mountain Pottery (2013).
2006
- AWARE was awarded the contract to continue deinstitutionalization efforts.
2010
- AWARE developed the first residential autism services in Montana.
2012
- AWARE transferred the Galen program to what is now known as the Lawrence P. Noonan Center for Excellence and opened the doors to the group homes on Pennsylvania Avenue.
- AWARE formed The Arc Montana to promote for the inclusion and advocacy of people with disabilities.
2013
- AWARE acquired Great Falls YMCA Supported Living Program and continued to build upon our supported living services across the state.
2014
- AWARE opened the newly built Center for Excellence for its first day of school.
2016
- AWARE opened five group homes in Great Falls and Butte to serve some of the remaining individuals at Montana Developmental Center.
2018
- AWARE awarded statewide contract for targeted case management.
- AWARE opens Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) program in Helena.
2019
- AWARE hires Matt Bugni as AWARE CEO.
2020
- COVID-19 pandemic causes worldwide shutdown. AWARE adapted and continued offering services despite the challenges.
2021
- AWARE opens new Early Head Start classroom in Billings.
- AWARE opens Polk Home in Anaconda to support people with intense behavioral needs.
- AWARE celebrates 45 years of service.
- AWARE receives SDMI case management contract.
- AWARE hires Francine Cooper as new CFO.
- Long-time AWARE CFO Geri Wyant retires.
- AWARE awarded $4.5 million Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant to support the implementation of its Family Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) program.
2022
- FACT services launch across the state.
- AWARE receives grant for Mulit-Dimensional Family Therapy.
- AWARE holds first annual AWARE Day throughout Montana.
- AWARE brings back Charity Golf Scramble after two-year break.
- AWARE holds first Clinical Leadership Summit in Helena.
- AWARE’s Center for Excellence transitions to a private school and becomes a candidate for accreditation through Cognia.
- AWARE receives three-year CARF accreditation.
- AWARE receives $457,000 Telehealth grant from the FCC.
2023
- AWARE begins offering therapeutic recreation services across the state
- AWARE Early Head Start in Butte celebrates 25 years.
- Medical Director Dr. John Tupper retires after 15 years service.
- AWARE hires new medical director, Dr. Kathryn Brogan.
- AWARE’s Center for Excellence achieves official accreditation through Cognia.