1881

American Red Cross 
Clara Barton founded the red cross on May 21, 1881 at the age of 60. During the Civil War, Clara Barton would deliver supplies and provide aid to those that were injured. She created the American Red Cross in the hope that it would provide care to people who have experienced a traumatic situation or disaster. The organization devotes itself to helping communities in the United States and also internationally. 
Submitted by Lauren Naidu

1887

United Way of America

Established in 1887, by a group of predominant church leaders, the primary purpose of United Way of America is to identify and resolve pressing community issues, and to make measurable changes in communities through partnerships with schools, government agencies, businesses, organized labor, financial institutions, community development corporations, voluntary and neighborhood associations, the faith community, and others.  Chapters of United Way have been established throughout every state, and even some individual counties within states, to work with non-profit organizations to provide resources to communites to enhance education, health care, and personal finance to enhance the common good.

1939

The Texas Dept. of Human Services

The Public Welfare Act of 1939 created the Texas Department of Public Welfare.  The organization was established to administer state and federal programs serving low-income families with children, and elderly or disabled persons. The mission of this organization is to help those in need and to offer assistance to adults, children, or disables persons.

Submitted by Diana Jeffcoat

1965

Medicare & Medicaid Act

President Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid programs into law at the Harry S. Truman Library.Though Harry S. Truman was the first president to endorse national healthcare insurance, President Johnson was the one to sign the bill that helped provide low-cost health insurance to people who needed it.

Submitted By: Carol L. Foster

1965

Older Americans Act

The Older Americans Act was signed into law by Lyndon B. Johnson.  This law established the Administration on Aging within the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.  In addition this law authorized grants to States for community planning and services programs.  Later amendments to the Act added grants to area agencies on aging for local needs identification, planning, and funding of services.

Submitted by:  Robyn Brazelton

1968

Eckerd Kids

Founded by Jack and Ruth Eckerd, envisioning a program to create healthly and sucessful alternatives to help children turn their lives around, Their mission is to provide and share solutions that promote the well being of children and families in need of a second chance.

Submitted by: Lois Brookins

1971

Oregon Department of Human Services

The Oregon Department of Human Resources was created to aid the public. The name was later changed to The Oregon Department of Human Services. The main functions are to serve children and the disabled. The mission is to help Oregonians achieve health and wellbeing.

Submitted By Kayla Frishkorn

1973

Senior Friendship Center

The Senior Friendship Center was established by Brother William Geenen CSC.  The friendship centers are a non-profit network of centers in Southwest Florida with services to meet the needs of people 50 and older.  This organization has led the country in developing innovative, cost-effective approaches to address the health and wellness needs of older adults.  Their mission is to promote health, dignity, and quality of life throughout the journey of life.

Submitted by Robyn Brazelton

1976

Family Focus

Bernice Weissbourd and her volunteer staff established this organization. It was established to provide support to families with young children. This organization’s mission is to provide supportive programs in response to the changing needs of the community.

Submitted by Desni Williams

1990

Jobs for Montana Graduates

In 1990 the Montana Legislature approved funding to bring the Jobs for America’s Graduates program to Montana; and utilizing the National program name personalized it to the state calling Jobs for Montana Graduates (JMG).  The Jobs for Montana’s Graduates program promotes students to stay in school through graduation and work with them to successfully transition from school into employment, post-secondary education, apprenticeship, the military, or where their path takes them.

Submitted by Kristie Moss

1994

Mandatory Sentences or “three strikes law”

This law means a mandatory life sentences for anyone who has three felony convictions. This law was signed by President William “Bill” Clinton. This law has a negative impact on the community because children are left behind when parents receive life sentences. Human Service agencies, relatives, and community leaders has to work together to support the child and their caregivers.

Submitted by Desni Williams

2001
ARC International Services (Measles Initiative)
The Measles Initiative was created to help countries receive financial and technology help in having the vaccinations for measles. This was created to help reduce the amount of deaths by measles in countries that do not have access to regular doctors and hospitals and are unable to treat dangerous diseases. Since the Initiative was created it has helped many countries, primarily in Asia and Africa. It has also helped vaccinate over 1 billion children and to help provide appropriate needs to help prevent measles. 
Submitted by Lauren Naidu

2001

Oxford County Mental Health Services

Formerly known as Greater Rumford Alliance for the Mentally Ill (GRAMI 1991-2001), this organization was established by local residents seeking support for family members who were suffering from mental illness. In 2001, The name was changed to Oxford County Mental Health services to better categorize the location of services. Their mission statement reads: “Promoting community wellness and empowering individuals, by providing innovative,  person-centered behavioral health services and education.”

Submitted By: Carol L. Foster

2003

Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act of 2003

April 30, 2003, the illicit drug-anti-proliferation act became a part of the PROTECT act. The act authorized funding for parents, and minors on the dangers of ecstacy, and other drugs. It made it illegal for anyone to intentionall open, lease, rent or maintain property of the purpose of using, distributing, or manufactoring controlled substances. The law also made it illegal for a manager, employee, or owner, to profit from storing, distributing, using, or manufacturing controlled substances. The law also opened the door for the United States Sentencing Commission to consider increasing federal sentencing penalties for offenses involving gamma-Hydroxybutric acid (GHB).

Submitted by: Kathleen Gaynor

2010

The Affordable Care Act

On March 23, 2010 The Affordable Care Act became a law. This event that could change health care in America. The Republican Party tried to appeal this law but did not succeed.  This bill help millions of American with health insurance.

This would put a strain on the Human Services Professional.

Submitted By Diana Jeffcoat

2015

Just Believe Recovery Center, LLC

Just Believe Recovery was founded by Cynthia Bellino. Bellino had a life-long dream of helping alcoholics and addicts on the road to a better life. The organizations mission is to provide the highest level of personalized care and treatment to each client that enters the facility.

Submitted by: Kathleen Gaynor

2016

Florida Medical Marijuana Approval

On November 08, 2016 Flordia passed Admendment 2 for the use of medical marijuana. Unprocessed parts of the plants or its basic extracts to treat symptoms of illness and other conditions. It will have an empact with supply and demand, People will look for referrals to agencies and or clinics that will approve their medical conditions.

Submitted by: Lois Brookins

2016

Oregon Recreational Marijuana Use

The Oregon Legislature approved the use, of marijuana, to individuals age 21 and over. Recreational users can carry up to one ounce on their person, and they can possess four plants. This has no impact on medical patients. While it is legal to use, employers still have the ability to drug test and determine employment, based upon a positive or negative drug test. Those individuals that get regularly tested will have to check in with the test givers. It impacts the human services agencies, because they can give testing, and in the future may be able to determine eligibility for services based upon a drug test.

Submitted By Kayla Frishkorn