Burke

What Burke does

Burke Center (legally Burke, formerly Deep East Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services) is a private, Texas-based nonprofit community mental health and intellectual/developmental disability authority founded in 1974 and headquartered in Lufkin, Texas. It is one of 39 entities contracted by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to serve as the Local Mental Health and IDD Authority for a 12-county Deep East Texas service area (Angelina, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, Tyler). With approximately 600 employees operating across 40 facilities, Burke delivers an integrated portfolio of adult and children's mental health services, substance use treatment, IDD services, early childhood intervention, veteran peer support, and a 24-hour crisis hotline anchored by the Mental Health Emergency Center — the nation's first rural freestanding comprehensive psychiatric emergency service (launched 2008).

Burke's core technology stack centers on a 2020 electronic health record (EHR) implementation, psychiatric telehealth (one of the first Texas community centers to deploy it), the third-party myStrength digital self-care platform integrated into clinical workflows, free virtual Mental Health First Aid training, and a forthcoming Client Portal. Adjacent programs include Burke Industries (vocational services), the Host Companion Care program for IDD clients, and the Rural East Texas Health Network (RETHN) advisory boards that coordinate crisis care with law enforcement, hospitals, judges, EMS, and schools across eleven counties. The annual Mission Possible Conference, hosted since 1995, functions as both a Continuing Education venue and a community-engagement flagship.

Burke's revenue model is dominated by public funding: Texas HHSC contracts, the 1115 DSRIP Medicaid waiver (which expired in FY2022 and is being replaced), Medicaid, and other government grants, supplemented by sliding-scale client fees published on a "Charges For Services" schedule, community fundraising (e.g., the Burke Bobcats BBQ Cook-Off), and event sponsorships. The proposed FY2026 budget totals $45.5 million. Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer across Burke-owned facilities, with secondary channels including telehealth, mobile crisis outreach, school-based MHFA training, and host family placements. Day-to-day leadership rests with CEO Melanie Taylor (since July 2019) and COO Jake Squiers, under Board Chair David Cozadd (since 2023).

Name

Burke

Legal name

Burke

Website

https://myburke.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Burke Center is a Texas-based nonprofit community mental health and IDD authority serving 12 East Texas counties with adult and children's mental health, substance use, IDD, early childhood intervention, and veteran services across 40 facilities, funded primarily through Texas HHSC contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lufkin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts & Grants (Texas HHSC): Burke is one of 39 community mental health and IDD authorities contracted by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to deliver publicly funded mental health, IDD and substance use services. Its proposed FY2026 budget totals $45.5 million in projected revenues and expenses, demonstrating scale of public funding.
2. DSRIP / 1115 Medicaid Waiver Funding: Funding under the 2012-approved 1115 Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program, which CEO Melanie Taylor described as a 'game-changer' that allowed Burke to serve almost double the number of individuals with mental illness compared to 2012; program was scheduled to end in FY2022, with Burke working on sustainability strategies.
3. Client Charges for Services: Burke publishes a "Charges For Services" schedule on its website. The organization states it serves clients 'regardless of benefit status or ability to pay' (especially for veteran services), indicating a sliding-scale fee structure on top of public funding.
4. Community Fundraising & Special Events: Burke raises supplemental funds through community events such as the Annual BBQ Cook Competition benefitting the Burke Bobcats Special Olympics team, cook-off proceeds funding athlete expenses, and other sponsorship-driven activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Burke operates as a nonprofit community mental health and intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) authority delivering outpatient mental health, substance use, IDD, early childhood intervention, and veteran services across 12 East Texas counties. Services are delivered through 40 owned facilities, a 24-hour crisis hotline, telehealth, the nation's first rural freestanding Mental Health Emergency Center, and community-based programs such as the Military Veteran Peer Network and Mental Health First Aid training.

Product overview

Burke (legally Burke Center, formerly Deep East Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services, founded in 1974) operates as a single integrated service-delivery organization rather than a multi-product technology platform. Its portfolio is organized around six core service lines — Adult Mental Health Services, Children's Mental Health Services, Substance Use Services, Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Services, Early Childhood Intervention Services, and Veteran Services (including the Military Veteran Peer Network) — that are supported by cross-cutting specialty programs including the Mental Health Emergency Center (MHEC), the Burke Integrated Care Clinic, the Host Companion Care Program, Psychiatric Telehealth Services, and free community Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training. Ancillary offerings include Burke Industries, the Rural East Texas Health Network (RETHN), the annual Mission Possible Conference, and a forthcoming Client Portal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Burke Industries: Vocational/employment service line operated under Burke providing work opportunities (referenced as a distinct service page on Burke's website).
• Burke Bobcats

Products and services

• Adult Mental Health Services Comprehensive outpatient mental health services for adults across 12 East Texas counties, including counseling, case management, psychiatric care, and 24/7 crisis response.
• Children's Mental Health Services Comprehensive mental health services for children in East Texas, including assessment, therapy, and youth-focused crisis intervention along with Youth Mental Health First Aid.
• Substance Use Services Comprehensive outpatient substance use services for individuals working toward sobriety and long-term recovery, including a short-term inpatient medical detoxification program operated in partnership with ADAC.
• Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Services Burke serves as both IDD Authority and Provider across East Texas, offering service coordination, day habilitation, supported employment, residential supports, community resource connections, and the Companion Host Care program.
• Early Childhood Intervention Services Services that help children from birth to age three and their families overcome difficulties in early childhood development across 11 East Texas counties.
• Veteran Services / Military Veteran Peer Network Peer support, licensed therapy, care coordination, and referrals for veterans regardless of benefit status or ability to pay; housed at the Lufkin MVPN office and led by Volunteer Coordinator Jeff Headrick.
• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training Free training offered to any organization or community member (including Youth MHFA for ages 12–18), available in-person and virtually to scale MHFA across East Texas schools and community organizations.
• Mission Possible Annual Conference Annual education and networking conference on behavioral health, community wellness, and Alzheimer's, offering tiered registration (professionals $60, sponsor members/general public $50, students/consumers $30) with Continuing Education hours for behavioral health professionals.
• Mental Health Emergency Center (MHEC) The nation's first rural freestanding comprehensive psychiatric emergency service, providing 24/7 crisis mental health services in East Texas and serving as a model replicated by other Texas regions.
• Burke 24-Hour Crisis Hotline 24/7 crisis hotline reachable at 1-800-392-8343, providing immediate mental health crisis response for residents of East Texas.
• Psychiatric Telehealth Services Phone and video psychiatric service delivery; Burke was among the first Texas community mental health centers to offer psychiatric telehealth and has been nationally recognized for its telehealth program.
• Host Companion Care Program Places individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities into family-type home environments with vetted host caregivers, as an alternative to group home placement.
• Burke Integrated Care Clinic Primary care clinic integrated with Burke's behavioral health services, providing medical care alongside mental health and IDD services.
• Burke Industries Vocational and employment service line providing work opportunities for individuals served by Burke, including people with disabilities.
• Rural East Texas Health Network (RETHN) Burke-developed and -managed network that unites advisory boards across eleven counties with stakeholders including law enforcement, hospitals, judges, EMS, and mental health professionals to coordinate care during mental health crises.
• Mission Possible Virtual Mini-Series Four-webinar Continuing Education mini-series covering burnout, ethics, caregiving, and children's/family mental health, with CE offered for social work, LCP, LMFT, and nursing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Burke's DSRIP participation expanded mental illness caseload to nearly double 2012 levels
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service - Jasper CountyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2025Burke staff connected with T'Wana Wilson, County Extension Agent for Family & Community Health at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service - Jasper County, in April 2025 to explore additional programming opportunities for individuals receiving developmental disabilities services.
• Tyler County Sheriff's Office & Nacogdoches County Sheriff's OfficeminorOthers · 27 January 2021Sheriff Bryan Weatherford (Tyler County) and Sheriff Jason Bridges (Nacogdoches County) were appointed as ex-officio members of Burke's Board of Trustees under Senate Bill 632 of the 86th Texas Legislature, promoting Local Mental Health and IDD Authority governance.
• Rural East Texas Health Network (RETHN) Advisory BoardscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018RETHN is a Burke-developed and -managed network that unites advisory boards in eleven counties with stakeholders including law enforcement, hospitals, judges, EMS and mental health professionals, providing care during mental health crises.
• System of Care (SOC) Advisory NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Burke established a SOC advisory network in 2018 after receiving a four-year grant, bringing together schools, juvenile probation departments, Child Protective Services, the Department of State Health Services, and Burke staff. SOC board members subsequently transitioned to collaborate with local CRCGs.
• Special Olympics TexascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 January 2017Burke COO Jake Squiers was named to the Special Olympics Texas Board of Directors in an at-large position after a two-year term on the President's Advisory Council. Burke operates the Burke Bobcats Special Olympics team and hosts an annual BBQ Cook Competition to raise funds for athlete expenses.
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Deep East Texas (ADAC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 October 2015Burke and ADAC jointly launched a short-term, voluntary medical detoxification program in Lufkin for people addicted to alcohol, prescription medications and illegal drugs. Burke provides medical safeguards during withdrawal symptoms as part of the inpatient program.
• Episcopal Health Foundation (EHF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 September 2015Burke, the Episcopal Health Foundation, and Seminary of the Southwest in Austin partnered to increase access to mental health services in East Texas. The partnership places new mental health counselors at Burke and has been profiled by Diolog: The Texas Episcopalian magazine.
• Seminary of the SouthwestcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 September 2015Burke, Episcopal Health Foundation, and Seminary of the Southwest partner to improve access to mental health services in East Texas counties, including counselor training and placement.
• KTRE-TVcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2015Burke and KTRE partner to surface Survivor Series stories from East Texas; Burke identifies residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities or those managing mental health and substance use challenges to be featured. KTRE has aired Survivors weekly since September 2015 and received the Frank M. Adams Award for Mental Health Awareness in 2017 (Burke nominated KTRE).
• Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBurke is one of 39 community mental health and intellectual/developmental disability authorities contracted by HHSC to deliver publicly funded mental health, IDD and substance use services in Texas. Burke serves as the Local Mental Health and IDD Authority for the Deep East Texas region. Funding flows through HHSC contracts, including the 1115 DSRIP Medicaid waiver.
• Stephen F. Austin State University School of Social WorkflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFA School of Social Work co-hosts the Mission Possible Conference with Burke and presents the annual Spirit Award at the conference. Multiple SFA faculty are involved as presenters and award presenters.
• Alzheimer's AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Alzheimer's Association is a co-sponsor of the Mission Possible Conference and runs a preconference on Living with Alzheimer's at the event.
• Texas AHEC East (Piney Woods Region)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTexas AHEC East of the Piney Woods Region is a co-planning organization for the Mission Possible Conference.
• DSHS Rusk State HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSHS Rusk State Hospital co-plans the Mission Possible Conference alongside Burke and serves as a referral destination for inpatient psychiatric care.
• Oceans Behavioral Hospital LufkinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvent Sponsor of the Mission Possible Conference and a referral partner for inpatient psychiatric placements in the East Texas region.
• Brentwood HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvent Sponsor of the Mission Possible Conference and a referral destination for inpatient psychiatric services.
• Hospice in the PinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvent Sponsor of the Mission Possible Conference.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Andrews Center: Andrews Center is a Texas community mental health and IDD authority serving the Tyler/Smith County region of East Texas — immediately adjacent to Burke's 12-county service area. It operates the same LMHA/IDD authority model under contract with Texas HHSC, providing direct comparability on revenue mix, governance, and service portfolio.
• Community Healthcore: Community Healthcore is a Longview, Texas-based community mental health and IDD authority serving East Texas counties neighboring Burke's footprint. It is a direct Texas HHSC-contracted LMHA operating outpatient, crisis, IDD, and substance use services — directly comparable to Burke's portfolio and rural East Texas context.
• Spindletop Center: Spindletop Center is a Texas LMHA serving the Beaumont/Jefferson County region in Southeast Texas. It provides the same full continuum of mental health, IDD, crisis, and substance use services under HHSC contract, operating a similar rural/small-metro model in an adjacent geography.
• Lakes Regional Community Center: Lakes Regional is a Texas HHSC-contracted community mental health and IDD authority serving a multi-county region in North Texas. It is a directly comparable community-center peer with the same LMHA/IDD dual-designation operating model as Burke.
• Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare: Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare is a Texas community mental health and IDD authority serving Montgomery, Liberty, and Walker counties in Southeast Texas. It operates the same HHSC-contracted LMHA model with mental health, crisis, IDD, and substance use service lines — directly comparable to Burke.
• Bluebonnet Trails Community Services: Bluebonnet Trails is one of the larger Texas community mental health and IDD authorities, serving an 11-county region around Austin/Gonzales. It is a directly comparable HHSC-contracted LMHA peer with similar full-continuum service lines and a substantially larger scale, providing a useful size benchmark.
• Texana Center: Texana Center is a Texas HHSC-contracted LMHA/IDD authority serving the Fort Bend/Wharton/Colorado county region south of Houston. It provides the same community mental health, crisis, IDD, and substance use service portfolio under the same regulatory framework as Burke.
• Gulf Bend Center: Gulf Bend Center is a Texas HHSC-contracted LMHA serving a 7-county region centered on Victoria, Texas. It offers directly comparable community mental health, IDD, crisis, and substance use services in a similar rural/mid-size catchment — a close operating-model peer to Burke.
• MHMR Authority of Brazos Valley: The MHMR Authority of Brazos Valley is a Texas HHSC-contracted LMHA serving a 7-county region in Central Texas. It delivers the same full continuum of mental health, IDD, and substance use services under the same state-authority framework as Burke, with a comparable community-center operating model.

Broad incumbents

• Acadia Healthcare: Acadia Healthcare is a publicly traded national behavioral health operator with extensive psychiatric inpatient and residential facilities, including Texas operations. It is a broader incumbent in the same behavioral health space as Burke, but at vastly greater scale and with a for-profit, inpatient-focused model that does not directly overlap Burke's community-center LMHA services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/myBurkeCenter
• Xx.com/myburketx

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Burke