CHARLOTTE — MiraVia Inc. recently earned national accreditation through the New York-based Council on Accreditation.
MiraVia, a Catholic non-profit maternity and after-care program serving the greater Charlotte region, has provided material and emotional support to more than 7,980 mothers and their children since the organization admitted its first mother in 1994. Its services include two unique programs to help pregnant women in need. The first is an innovative residential facility and program designed just for young women in college who are facing an unplanned pregnancy. The on-campus residence provides all the support and services pregnant college students need to achieve both their academic and parenting goals. Second is MiraVia’s Outreach Program that provides material assistance, peer support and educational programs for pregnant women struggling to make ends meet.
Accreditation demonstrates the implementation of best practice standards in the field of human services. COA evaluated all aspects of MiraVia’s programs, services, management and administration and voted that the organization had successfully met the criteria for accreditation.
“We are committed to compassionate, professional care that puts our faith into action,” said Debbie Capen, executive director of MiraVia. “The accreditation process ensures that every aspect of our organization has been studied, evaluated and measured against the best practices of top non-profits around the world; and we are proud to stand among them.
“MiraVia is unique in its approach to serving pregnant women who lack support. Our programs were developed as the result of getting to know our clients and listening to their needs. By eliminating many of the barriers to higher education and a better quality of life, we are empowering pregnant women to create bright, healthy futures for themselves and their children.”
The independent COA accreditation process involves a detailed review of an organization’s administration, management, and service delivery functions against international standards of best practice. The standards driving accreditation ensure that services are well-coordinated, culturally competent, evidence-based, outcomes-oriented, and provided by a skilled and supported workforce.