Right From the Start

Promoting Healthy Beginnings for Families

Supporting Healthy Pregnancies and Strong Beginnings

Right From the Start is a statewide program that helps West Virginia mothers and their babies live healthier lives through free home visitation services.

Offered by Burlington United Methodist Family Services, the program pairs families with a Designated Care Coordinator (DCC) — a registered nurse or licensed social worker — who provides personalized support during pregnancy and throughout a baby’s first year.

Program Overview 

How Right From the Start Helps

Right From the Start supports mothers, babies, and families by helping create a safe, nurturing, and healthy home environment.

Services are provided at no cost and are tailored to your unique needs. Your Designated Care Coordinator is there to listen, answer questions, and help connect you with helpful resources in your community.

Services Offered 

Support During Pregnancy

While you’re pregnant, your DCC can help you with:

  • Childbirth and labor preparation
  • Nutrition and healthy pregnancy habits
  • Understanding body changes during pregnancy
  • Quitting smoking
  • Connecting to community resources (WIC, DHHR, and more)
  • Arranging transportation to medical appointments
  • Finding housing and baby care items

Support After Baby Arrives

After your baby is born, your DCC will continue supporting you as you build confidence in caring for your child. Support includes learning:

  • Feeding, bathing, and diapering
  • Safe sleep practices
  • Infant safety
  • Good nutrition for you and your baby
  • Where and how to get immunizations
  • Creating a positive and healthy family environment

The goal is to help you feel supported, informed, and confident as a parent.

Eligibility Requirements

You may be eligible for Right From the Start if you:

  • Are pregnant or have a child under one year old
  • Are a resident of West Virginia
  • Have a current, active Medicaid card or medical coverage through the Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health

Eligible families may access the program through self-referrals or referrals from local agencies and providers.

Overview of Services

Care Coordination at the Heart of Right From the Start

A key component of Right From the Start is care coordination. This means your Designated Care Coordinator helps you:

  • Navigate the healthcare system
  • Understand your health plan
  • Schedule and follow up on medical appointments
  • Connect with resources like transportation, housing assistance, and smoking cessation programs

Care coordination ensures you receive personalized support focused on a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Get in Touch

Interested in Right From the Start?

If you’re interested in Right From the Start or would like more information, please contact:

Alleda Taylor
304-813-2401
ataylor@bumfs.org

Provider & Agency Interest

If you are a licensed social worker (LSW) or registered nurse (RN) interested in becoming a Right From the Start Designated Care Coordinator (DCC) — or if your agency is interested in providing RFTS services — we’d love to connect with you.

Please complete the form below to learn more about becoming a provider. Once submitted, we’ll send additional information to your email.

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