Parents as Teachers
Supporting Families from the Very Beginning
Parents as Teachers is an evidence-based home visitation program offered by Burlington United Methodist Family Services, serving families prenatally through kindergarten.
PAT focuses on strengthening families by supporting:
- Child development
- Parent-child interaction
- Development-centered parenting
- Family well-being
Through personalized visits, screenings, and connections to community resources, Parents as Teachers helps families build confidence and create strong foundations for lifelong learning.
How Parents as Teachers Works
Parents as Teachers partners with families to set goals and access the support and resources they need to reach them.
One example is Briella, a single teen mother of two, who wanted to get her first job but didn’t know where to start. With support from her home visitor, she:
- Identified local, walkable, part-time job opportunities
- Applied for positions together with her home visitor
- Received program support for a new interview outfit, helping boost confidence
Briella successfully interviewed, accepted a job, and is now working toward obtaining her driver’s license — with continued encouragement and guidance from her PAT home visitor.
Who We Serve
Burlington’s Parents as Teachers program serves families in the following West Virginia counties:
Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan, and Pendleton
Our Vision & Mission
Our Vision
All children will develop, learn, and grow to realize their full potential.
Our Mission
To provide the information, support, and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial years of life.
We Believe
- The early years of a child’s life are critical for optimal development and future success
- Parents and caregivers are children’s first and most influential teachers
- Research-based practices are the foundation for effective family support
- All children and families deserve equal opportunities to succeed, regardless of background
Overview of Services
What Our Program Includes
Personalized Visits
Visits are tailored to your family’s needs and can take place in-home, virtually, or by phone. During visits:
- Parent educators share research-based parenting guidance
- Families receive age-appropriate developmental activities
- Each visit includes a children’s book to grow your at-home library
Screenings
Regular screenings help ensure children are healthy, safe, and developing on track, including:
- Developmental screenings (ASQ-3)
- Social-emotional screenings (ASQ-SE2)
- Health, vision, and hearing checks
Resources
Families are connected to community resources that support their unique needs.
Group Connections
Group connections provide opportunities for families to:
- Learn together
- Share experiences
- Build supportive relationships with other parents
Child Passenger Safety
Burlington’s Parents as Teachers program includes a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.
Services include:
- Car seat installation checks
- Hands-on education for proper car seat use and installation
To schedule a one-on-one appointment, contact:
Lindsay Martin
304-813-7645
lnmartin@bumfs.org
Get in Touch
Get Started with Parents as Teachers
Interested in participating in Parents as Teachers? Fill out the Parents as Teachers Referral Form below. For more information, please contact:
Emily Stowell
estowell@bumfs.org
Diane Vincent
304-260-5884
dvincent@bumfs.org