December 2003 Created under the collaboration by the Highlands County School Board, Highlands County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Hospital Heartland Division. The first partner on board was the Hiway Park Black Businessmen’s Association/Star Program. Also immediately joined, in alphabetical order: American Red Cross, Department of Children and Families Services, Heartland Rural Health Network, Inc., Highlands County Health Department, Optimist Club of Sebring, and Tri-County Human Services, Inc.

June 2006 Non-profit 501 (c) (3) status achieved.

The Highlands County School Board served as fiscal agent from January 2004 until October 2007. Six grants, three from Department of Children and Families, three from the Strategic Prevention Framework—State Incentive Grant (SPF-SIG). The last grant awarded under SPF-SIG, was the Substance Abuse Reduction Guide (SARG) grant.

October 2007 Highlands County Sheriff Susan Benton became fiscal agent and the SARG program was transferred to the Sheriff’s Office.  In July 2008, this grant was extended for one year and was again extended one year, in July 2009.

June 2008 Obtained tax exempt status.

Additional financial support: Our membership helps to support and sustain us by their in-kind contributions. We also receive donations from corporation, personal and private donations.