CARS+ is the only organization whose sole purpose is to represent the unique needs of resource specialists and other special education teachers. The California Association of Resource Specialists was founded in 1981 as a non-profit association dedicated to the support of resource specialists. In February of 1996, the organization voted to expand its active membership to include all special education teachers. CARS+ is organized into eight regions with twenty chapters and over 3,000 members. The organization is governed by a sixteen-member volunteer board. Thirteen board members are elected and three are appointed positions.