Beginnings and Growth

As an afterschool program of Western Montana Montana Health Center, Flagship has been delivering prevention-based strategies and youth enrichment activities in Missoula, Montana for 22 years. Flagship was founded in response to research findings by the Missoula Prevention Coalition in the mid-1990’s, which suggested that Missoula needed a more concerted and deliberate pursuit to serve area youth during the significantly at-risk weekday afterschool time-frame. Flagship was conceived to address these critical needs. Key early partnerships include United Way of Missoula County and Missoula County Public Schools. This new afterschool program was piloted at C.S. Porter Middle School.
The value and effectiveness of the Flagship model was quickly recognized. Additional funding sources were secured, and the program began its expansion. Now, Flagship represents Missoula’s premier afterschool program and is fully integrated into eight Missoula County elementary, middle, and high schools. Flagship now has a well-developed network of funding and implementation partners, as well as an experienced youth development staff. Flagship provides a variety of high quality enrichment programs focused on academic achievement, health and wellness, and positive social development. Learn more about how The Flagship Program is changing lives through the program model, impact statistics, and school sites pages!
The value and effectiveness of the Flagship model was quickly recognized. Additional funding sources were secured, and the program began its expansion. Now, Flagship represents Missoula’s premier afterschool program and is fully integrated into eight Missoula County elementary, middle, and high schools. Flagship now has a well-developed network of funding and implementation partners, as well as an experienced youth development staff. Flagship provides a variety of high quality enrichment programs focused on academic achievement, health and wellness, and positive social development. Learn more about how The Flagship Program is changing lives through the program model, impact statistics, and school sites pages!