Founded in 1974, the Burke Center was formerly known as Deep East Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services. The center provides a variety of behavioral health care services to people with mental illness and retardation and chemical dependency. It operates more than 40 community centers in Texas and serves over 5,000 individuals annually. The center is licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services. The Burke Center also offers a range of outpatient mental health services. It additionally provides financial assistance and residential placement to people with disabilities. The center organizes substance abuse programs for adolescents and adults.