Our Blog
Creating a Supportive Environment: Strategies for Direct Care Workers
Direct care workers are essential in creating a nurturing and supportive environment for the youth in their care. These dedicated professionals are the frontline in providing an atmosphere that not only meets children's basic needs but also fosters their emotional,...
Mia (VanSant) Johnson has been named Chief Executive Officer of Burlington United Methodist Family Services
Mia (VanSant) Johnson has been named Chief Executive Officer of Burlington United Methodist Family Services, Inc. effective April 1, 2024. Johnson, who graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Psychology and master’s in social work, succeeds Chris...
The Life-changing Role of a Treatment Associate at Burlington United Methodist Family Services
At Burlington United Methodist Family Services, we understand the transformative power of hope and healing. Guided by a century-long dedication to nurturing families and individuals through difficult times, our team members embody empathy and positively influence the...
Foster Care From a Child’s Eyes
Making the decision to foster a child is one of the most effective ways to significantly impact a child’s life. The need for foster care is growing rapidly in West Virginia, and children desperately need a place where they can feel safe and loved. Continue reading to...
Understanding the Differences Between Foster Care and Adoption
Any time you welcome a child into your home and provide them with a safe and nurturing place, you significantly impact their lives. Two ways you can achieve that are through either foster care or adoption. The two share similarities and have their differences, but...
How Can A Recovery House Be Helpful To Me
Recovery is a difficult process and one that is a lifelong journey. At a Burlington United Methodist Family Services Recovery House, we can help provide you with the support and the tools you need to continue your recovery process. Many people just aren’t sure what to...
Common Myths About Foster Care
The world of fostering can be confusing, and there are a lot of falsehoods out there believed by potential foster parents. Here we have addressed some of the most common myths about foster care so that you can be more informed if you’re considering the decision to...
FAQ Answered By Burlington Foster Families
With over 6,900 children in West Virginia’s foster care system, there is a growing need for loving foster families. Recognizing this need we have started talking to some of our foster families and what drives their passion for these children in the hopes of...
Family Services Right in Your Community
Since 1913, Burlington United Methodist Family Services, Inc. has dedicated itself to changing lives by providing hope and healing to those who are hurting. With more than 20 locations, our multi-service agency helps make a...
The Best Substance Use Help for Me
A substance use disorder (SUD) is a highly complex condition that can affect virtually anyone. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, of Americans aged 12 years and older, 31.9 million are current illegal drug users. Someone who has used an...
Five Ways to Bond With Your Adopted Child
Adopting a child will be one of the most significant changes you will experience in your life. Not only are you welcoming an adopted child into your home, but you are also providing a child with a loving, stable environment they may otherwise have not had. You may be...
Five Things To Consider Before Adoption
Adoption is one of the most precious gifts life has to offer. If you are considering adoption, just know that adopting a child will be one of the most significant life changes you will experience. Not only are you welcoming someone new into your home, but you are also...
I Want To Be A Foster Parent, What Do I Do?
Congratulations! You have decided that you want to make a big difference in a child's life by fostering. But, there is a lot more to it than just saying “yes.” You may be wondering, “What do I do now?” or “How can I get started?” At Burlington, we know that fostering...
4 Signs Your Child May Need Mental Help
Being a parent, your children are your entire life and livelihood. The last thing you want to ever do is to watch your child suffer. Of children aged 3-17, over 16 million have been diagnosed with ADHD, behavioral problems, anxiety or depression in the United States....
What To Expect When Fostering A Child
Congratulations, you have taken the first step in possibly shaping a child’s life by fostering by fostering! According to a June 2021 Legislative Foster Care Report from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), over 6,900 children are in West...
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
A substance use disorder (SUD) is a highly complex condition that can affect virtually anyone. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, of Americans aged 12 years and older, 31.9 million are current illegal drug users. Someone who has used an...
4 Signs You May Have an Addiction
Addiction is a highly complex condition that can affect virtually anyone. In the United States alone, approximately 21 million people suffer from at least one addiction every year. Unfortunately, of those 21 million people, only 10 percent receive help and treatment....
How to Prepare for the Adoption Process
Adopting a child will be one of the most significant changes you will ever experience. Not only are you welcoming someone new into your home, you are also providing a child with a loving, stable home they may otherwise have not had. And although your heart and soul...
3 Signs You May Need Pregnancy Assistance
The phrase 'it takes a village' can be applied to more than just raising a child. For example, it can take a village to prepare for the baby during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the baby's health and safety should be a priority. However, sometimes, an expecting mother...
Trauma Care for a Child
In a perfect world, children live happy, safe lives, free from the long-lasting effects of traumatic events. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that children around us experience trauma each day. For example, according to a 2018 report from the Adverse Childhood...
3 Reasons Why You Should Foster A Child
There are over 6,900 children in West Virginia’s foster care system, according to a June 2021 Legislative Foster Care Report from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR). Sadly, this staggering number mainly results from the ongoing opioid...
Welcome to Burlington United Methodist Family Services, Inc.
“For I know what I have planned for you,” says the Lord. “I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.” — Jeremiah 29:11 Since 1913, Burlington United Methodist Family Services, Inc. has dedicated itself to changing...