As the school year kicks off across West Virginia, many families focus on buying supplies and adjusting to new routines. But for the children and families we serve at Burlington United Methodist Family Services, the start of school often brings deeper challenges—finding stability, healing from trauma, and reconnecting with hope.
That’s why at Burlington, our commitment goes beyond school supplies. We provide a comprehensive support system that surrounds children, youth, and families with love, structure, and opportunity—from early childhood to young adulthood. Through a wide range of programs, we walk alongside families through every season of life—especially during the transition back to school.
Building Strong Foundations in Early Childhood
Right From the Start
This statewide program provides free home visitation services to expectant and new mothers with active Medicaid coverage in West Virginia. Our Designated Care Coordinators—licensed nurses and social workers—help mothers navigate pregnancy, labor, newborn care, and safe home environments. From connecting families to WIC and housing to educating them about child development and nutrition, Right From the Start is often the first step toward long-term family stability.
Parents as Teachers
Education doesn’t begin at kindergarten—it starts at birth. Our Parents as Teachers program supports families with young children by offering developmental screenings, home visits, and parenting education. These services help parents become their child’s first teacher while preparing little ones for school success long before they ever step into a classroom.
Promoting Daily Attendance and Academic Success
Student Intervention Program
Operating in seven Monongalia County elementary schools, this program addresses chronic absenteeism in grades K–5. Our team of licensed social workers tracks school-wide and individual attendance, provides intervention strategies, works with teachers and families, and promotes positive reinforcement. This early prevention model ensures students stay connected to their education and don’t fall through the cracks.
Safe, Structured Learning Environments for Youth in Crisis
Residential Care & Education
Children in our Level II and Level III therapeutic treatment programs receive the academic, emotional, and spiritual support they need to heal and grow. Whether they attend on-grounds school in Burlington or local public schools near Beckley or Keyser, youth receive individualized treatment plans, behavioral support, therapy, and recreational opportunities. The goal is always stabilization and reintegration into community and school life.
Co-Existing Disorders Program
For youth with both developmental delays and mental health challenges, Burlington’s specialized 8-bed program offers care for adolescents aged 12–17. Residents attend public school with in-school support while participating in a structured daily schedule that includes therapy, life skills training, and educational support.
Helping Youth and Families Stay on Track
Foster Care & Adoption Services
Some children face circumstances that prevent them from living with their families. Burlington’s foster care program provides safe, loving homes and wraparound support for children from birth to age 18 (or age 20 if still in school). Our adoption services help create forever families through domestic, special needs, and newborn placements—while also offering birth parent counseling and post-placement care.
Home Finding Program
This program works hand-in-hand with our foster care efforts to recruit, train, and support new foster families across the state. These families are vital to ensuring children in crisis have a place to feel safe, loved, and supported—especially during the school year.
Removing Barriers and Strengthening Families
Targeted Case Management
Serving Garrett County, Maryland, this program connects children and families with critical services such as mental health care, housing, medication access, and benefits assistance. Many of these needs directly impact school readiness and academic performance.
Social Necessities Services
This program ensures families facing poverty or crisis can access basic needs—food, clothing, housing assistance, and more—allowing children to focus on school instead of survival.
Community Engagement
Our Community Engagement Specialists work to connect families with resources, programs, and spiritual life support, building long-term resilience and stronger communities.
Year-Round Compassion That Creates Lifelong Impact
At Burlington, we understand that a child can’t focus on learning if they’re hungry, homeless, or hurting. That’s why our programs are designed to provide holistic support—educational, emotional, spiritual, and physical—through every stage of life.
When a child has the stability of a safe home, the care of supportive adults, and the guidance of trusted professionals, they’re more likely to attend school consistently, build healthy relationships, and pursue their dreams.
How You Can Help
Whether it’s donating school supplies, becoming a foster parent, supporting a fundraiser, or simply sharing our mission, you can help ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive this school year—and every year.