Texas Pregnancy Center Network Earns Seal of Excellence From Ratings Group

From http://lifenews.com/state4257.html

Texas Pregnancy Center Network Earns Seal of Excellence From Ratings Group

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
June 26, 2009

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Austin, TX (LifeNews.com) -- To hear abortion advocates tell the story, the thousands of pregnancy centers that offer women abortion alternatives and practical pregnancy resources are misleading and biased. But a national institute that monitors government and nonprofit groups gave a Texas network of pregnancy centers its highest rating.

The Texas Pregnancy Care Network (TPCN) has earned the prestigious Seal of Excellence for meeting the highest standards of ethics and accountability.

The Standards for Excellence Institute, a Maryland-based initiative that promotes the highest standards of ethics and accountability in nonprofit governance, management, operations, and facilities, issued the rating.

A national peer review team of nonprofit experts evaluated TPCN for compliance with 55 standards.

The Institute found named TPCN a the first nonprofit organization in Texas to earn the Seal of Excellence distinction.

Vincent Friedewald, the director of the pregnancy center network, told LifeNews.com he's elated by the seal of approval.

"While we've always believed internally in our high standards, it is especially gratifying to have that belief affirmed by an independent, third party expert like the Standards for Excellence Institute," he said.

"We are honored by this recognition, as we work very hard to earn the public's trust," Firedewald added.

Darryl A. Jones, the director of the Institute, talked about the criteria used to evaluate groups like TPCN.

"Organizations that successfully complete the Standards for Excellence certification program exemplify openness, accountability and a commitment to excellence," he said. "The Institute encourages nonprofits to participate in the voluntary certification program because the standards can help build their capacity, which enables them to serve their communities more effectively."

The Texas Pregnancy Care Network is a non-profit, charitable organization that is committed to assisting women and their families in need of compassionate, practical, and life-affirming pregnancy support.

TPCN has served over 21,000 Texas women making more than 100,000 visits through its statewide network of Service Providers since 2006.

Related web sites:
Texas Pregnancy Care Network - http://www.texaspregnancy.org/about.html