Burton Center, a non-profit, governmental agency, provides services for people with disabilities and special needs (autism, mental retardation, head injuries, spinal cord injuries and related disabilities) and their families in Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Lexington, McCormick, and Saluda counties. Services are provided at no charge to those who meet specific eligibility criteria by the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs.

Burton Center has experienced phenomenal growth since 1971. Today  Burton Center serves over 1100 people and employs over 450 staff members. Programs are developed to assist individuals in exercising their own choices resulting in growth and independence.

Transportation is provided by 65 vans and buses traveling over 4000 miles per day. Each person is picked up every day, transported to the center, and returned home in the afternoon.

The Adult Day Programs provide a safe, healthy work and training environment for adults over the age of 21 at the centers located in Greenwood, Lexington, Saluda and Ware Shoals. Adults are trained in vocational skills through in-house contracts and projects for local businesses. Adults gain valuable work skills while earning money. Progression to other employment opportunities is the long-term aim of this area. On an individual basis, training is also offered in socialization, self-help and independent living skills.

The Supported Employment Program helps people to become independent and productive members of society. This is accomplished by placing them in stable jobs with good wages and benefits. Job coaches develop employment opportunities and work with individuals one-on-one to teach them the skills necessary to perform and maintain a particular job. Assistance is also provided to develop money management, use of transportation and interpersonal skills.

The ultimate goal of supported employment is to place adults in the Competitive Employment Program where they are employed within the community. All of these adults make at least minimum wage and have proven to be reliable and dependable workers. Many of them are now taxpayers rather than tax consumers.

Rehabilitation support services provides the opportunity for adults on the Day Program waiting list to learn and use community resources such as the library, obtaining a job, budgeting, making a doctor’s appointment, health care, good work habits, and recreational facilities.

Burton Center currently operates thirty community residences. Ten of these homes are in Greenwood, eight in Lexington, six in Ware Shoals, one in Edgefield, one in McCormick, three in Due West, and one in Saluda. These homes provide 24-hour care and supervision, counseling, training, recreation and other activities.

As people in the community residences acquire certain levels of independence, they are referred to one of the three supervised living programs in Greenwood, Edgefield, and Ware Shoals. These adults either share an apartment or house with a roommate or live by themselves. They are responsible for the upkeep of their homes, preparing their own meals, and are financially independent. They are either employed in the community or are receiving vocational training to prepare them for future employment.

When it is not possible for a person to remain in their natural home, Burton Center offers another residential option through the Community Training Home I Program. In this program individuals have an opportunity to live in a loving, supportive home of a private citizen who has been trained and licensed by the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs.

Service Coordination is the point of entry into the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs service delivery system. Service Coordinators serving Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Lexington, McCormick and Saluda counties help individuals identify their needs and develop a service plan to meet those needs. The Service Coordinators organize services with other agencies such as Department of Education, Department of Mental Health, Department of Juvenile Justice, United Ministries, Burton Center, etc. As an individual's needs change, the Service Coordinators ensure that adequate services are provided.

Early Intervention is a family focused, in-home service for children birth to age six (6). An early interventionist helps families understand the development of their child. Service coordination is provided according to a family service plan. The early interventionist works in conjunction with South Carolina's BabyNet Agency to serve infants and toddlers age 0 to three (3) years and if determined eligible, Early Intervention will continue services to six (6) years of age.

Respite Services provide temporary care for children or adults, allowing families or caregivers to handle emergencies, personal situations or take a break. Respite may be provided in the person’s home, a qualified caregiver’s home, regional center or other locations.

Head and Spinal Cord Injury Services (HASCI) are provided based on the needs of the consumer, the appropriateness of the service to meet the need, and the availability of funding. There may be a waiting list for particular services. Services may also be limited by the availability of a service provider in your community. To apply for services for Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury and Similar Disabilities: Contact the HASCI Division Information and Referral (I & R) Service at 1-866-867-3864 in Columbia, to be screened for referral to South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs' Head and Spinal Cord Injury (HASCI) Division.

Burton Center

2605 Hwy. 72/221 E.

Greenwood, SC  29649

(864)942-8900

 mailto:info@burtoncenter.org