Serving Montana for more than 40 years

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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.

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1976

• AWARE Inc. became incorporated to carry out its mission of serving people with disabilities.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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1991

• AWARE added adult developmental disability case management services in Big Horn and Carbon counties.

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1997

• AWARE added community support services for youth and children including youth case management, outpatient therapy, therapeutic foster care, transitional living and CSCT services.

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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.

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2019

• AWARE hires Matt Bugni as AWARE CEO.

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2020

• COVID-19 pandemic causes worldwide shutdown. AWARE adapted and continued offering services despite the challenges. 

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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.

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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.