LEAD is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization with offices at the Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest, IL.

The LEAD staff includes:
Stacy Vermylen, Executive Director
Karen Cunningham, Program Director
Betty Frank Bailey, Special Events Manager
Stephanie Cook, Development Manager
Wendy Ohman, Office Manager

Cheryl Pettit also assists LEAD with bookkeeping and taxes.

Board of Directors
Ellen Leemputte, Board President
Heather Hale, Secretary
Ellen Young, Treasurer
Jillian Lowe, Director
Sue Lyman, Director
Kathy O’Hara, Director
Julie Pawl, Director
Julie Reichenberger, Director
Bill Ries, Director
Carl Scichili, Director

History
The idea for a parent education group began in 1986 when a community-wide meeting identified drug abuse problems as a mounting concern in the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff area. In 1991, LEAD was formed to work with local schools, parent groups, law enforcement and other community partners to support and coordinate programs for awareness and prevention of alcohol and drug use by youth. Programs have been expanded to include support for parents to develop strong families and healthy youth in grades pre-k through 12 grade.

Funding
Funding comes from a wide variety of sources, such as private donations, grants from civic organizations, donations from schools, churches, corporations and LEAD-sponsored fundraisers. LEAD is also a United Way agency, with support from the United Way of LF/LB.