Housing and Development Newsletter
By June 1970, CALM was formed with supporters (the Santa Barbara Medical Society Auxiliary, the local medical world, and residents) and yes! a grant from the Board of Supervisors allowing their nonprofit status.
CALM became the first child abuse prevention organization in the nation. Instead of removing abused children from homes and sending parents to jail, CALM supported abusive parents, who were also stressed and needed help.
Early on, the agency focused on four work efforts. Director Enid Pike and two assistants answered the 24-hour hotline phone (there were no cellphones or answering machines then) and referred callers to services, medical options and personal help. Trained volunteers dealt with traumatic problems and domestic violence.