Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What is happening?

The United Methodist Home for Children (UMHC), located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, recently announced its plans to merge with another not-for-profit called the Board of Child Care (BCC), an organization that shares our tradition of serving children and families through the social justice ministry of the United Methodist Church. After the merger is finalized, UMHC will become United Methodist Home for Children, a program of the Board of Child Care.

  1. Will UMHC still be aligned with the United Methodist Church?

Yes! Like UMHC, BCC began as United Methodist orphanages in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. area, and shares our tradition of serving children and families through the social justice ministry of the United Methodist Church. The partnership of UMHC and BCC will help both ‘sister’ organizations. We each have areas of expertise the other does not. As we come together, we will be able to learn from each other and grow together. We can each expand the programming we have to offer in our respective geographic locations. Administrative positions will be consolidated, streamlining operations and cutting overhead expenses. In the end, the entire organization will be better, more effective, and able to help more kids and families than ever before. And we will continue to be a local mission supported by the United Methodist Church and YOU.

  1. Who is BCC?

Similar to UMHC, BCC began as three orphanages operated by the United Methodist Church in Maryland and the District of Columbia during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, it is a highly-respected provider of early learning, mental health and therapeutic residential services to more than 700 children and families across the Mid-Atlantic, with its headquarters in Baltimore, MD, just 90 minutes from Mechanicsburg.

  1. Why is this merger happening?

This merger will enable UMHC to leverage BCC’s scale and deep expertise, thereby continuing our 100-year legacy of providing exceptional care to young people and their families in central Pennsylvania. BCC has invested in attaining national accreditations by both the Commission on Accreditation for Residential Facilities (CARF) and the United Methodist Association’s Educational Assessment Guidelines Leading toward Excellence (EAGLE) Commission. Accreditations help ensure programs and operations meet and exceed industry best practices. In several cases, BCC has been nominated or won best practice awards from both groups.

  1. When will the merger be finalized?

It is anticipated the merger will be completed by January 1, 2019.

  1. What is the process for approving the merger?

The Bishops of each of the governing conferences BCC operates currently within, in addition to the Bishop of the Susquehanna Annual Conference where UMHC is located, enthusiastically support this partnership. BCC is an excellent partner due to its United Methodist history, traditions, core values and methodology for delivering services. The Pennsylvania State Attorney General has approved our application for merger. Both BCC’s and UMHC’s Board of Directors have been working closely together over the past year and both support the merger.

  1. Are there financial consequences of the transaction? T

his partnership strengthens the financial position of UMHC by leveraging the resources and expertise of BCC to provide shared back office services such as IT, Finance, and Human Resources.

  1. Does UMHC need financial support?

As always, UMHC can only continue to serve kids and families in need if we have YOUR support. Reimbursements cover about 70% of operating costs. We rely on friends and donors, like YOU, to fill the gap. With your help, we plan to continue this vital work with central Pennsylvania kids and families well into the future.

  1. How will this merger benefit youth and families?

BCC has invested in attaining national accreditations by both the Commission on Accreditation for Residential Facilities (CARF) and the United Methodist Association’s Educational Assessment Guidelines Leading toward Excellence (EAGLE) Commission. Accreditations help ensure programs and operations meet and exceed industry best practices. In several cases, BCC has been nominated or won best practice awards from both groups. Under BCC’s leadership, UMHC will pursue national accreditation through CARF in practices that are considered the highest standard of care to the youth and families in need of residential treatment services. The recently-passed Families First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) requires accreditation for service providers of out-of-home placement and foster care services.

  1. Will the location of UMHC change?

No. The plan calls for the continuance of services on the UMHC campus in Mechanicsburg, PA.

  1. Who will lead the new UMHC?

As part of the merger, Laurie Anne Spagnola, President and CEO of BCC, will provide executive leadership to UMHC. Jackie Columbia, MS, LCSW, LCPC, will provide direct guidance and oversight to Jeffrey A. Glass, MSW, LSW, the newly appointed Director of Programs in Pennsylvania, at UMHC.

  1. Will there be a different governing board for the new organization?

Two Central Pennsylvania residents currently serving on the board of UMHC will become board members of BCC. The Bishop of the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church also has the option to appoint a representative to the BCC Board to attend on behalf of the Conference.

  1. Why is this happening now?

Under BCC’s leadership, UMHC will pursue national accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Residential Facilities (CARF) in practices that are considered the highest standard of care for youth and families in need of residential treatment services. The recently-passed Families First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) requires accreditation for service providers of out-of-home placement and foster care services. The timing of our merger couldn’t be better.

  1. How long will the transition process take?

Shortly after the legal steps of this partnership are complete, BCC will begin the accreditation for UMHC’s program / location process by the Commission on Accreditation for Residential Facilities (CARF), which will take approximately 6-12 months to complete.