The Presbyterian Home for Children has earned reaccreditation from the Educational Assessment Guidelines Leading toward Excellence (EAGLE) Accreditation Commission, the highest standard for a faith-based organization serving children, youth, and families to accomplish.
The reaccreditation, effective from September 2025 through September 2029, was accompanied by an overall commendation, a rare distinction showing PHFC not only met all standards but also demonstrated exceptional performance in several key areas.
The EAGLE review team, which visited campus in September, also gave the Home five specific commendations that highlight the Home’s faith-based leadership, operational excellence, and community involvement.
“This remarkable achievement reflects the spirit, dedication, and belief in our mission that guides all we do,” CEO Doug Marshall said. “The EAGLE process is about more than policies or procedures – it’s about faith in action. Our staff, board, and partners have worked tirelessly to ensure that what we say we do is what we truly live out every day.”
The EAGLE reaccreditation process is known for its rigor and evaluates organizations on faith foundation, holistic delivery of care and services, community engagement, governance and leadership, performance measurement, workforce management, physical resources management, financial resources management, technology, marketing and fundraising.
“Holistic delivery of care and services, led by Sharon Moore, Vice President of Transitional Housing and Family Services, is the core of our mission that spans over 157 years and the EAGLE accreditation process,” said Marshall, who served six years on the 15-member EAGLE Accreditation Commission.
The standards for holistic delivery of care and services include admissions criteria and processes, resident/client rights and responsibilities, assessment, holistic treatment plans, transition and discharge planning, case management services and spiritual life services.
Accredited with EAGLE since 2017, PHFC earned 580 out of 585 available points, which equated to a score of 99 percent in this year’s accreditation review.
The review team recognized PHFC with commendations for its strong faith connections with churches and congregations, active community engagement, and strategic marketing efforts led by Marshall that have strengthened relationships within both the organization and the wider community.
EAGLE also cited the Home’s “exceptional” financial management, noting that “though a small organization, PHFC operates with the expertise of a much larger one.” Credit was given to the leadership of Marshall, Controller Sam Allison, and Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair David Perry.
Another commendation praised the Home’s organizational culture. The review team highlighted the leadership of Vice President of People, Culture and Administration Stephani Burton, saying she “encourages engagement of employees and is creative with building relationships and connections with staff members. She sets the tone for weaving in the mission, vision, and values into the work culture.”
“This reaccreditation is such a meaningful affirmation of who we are and why we do this work,” Burton said. “Every staff member, leader, and partner played a part in this achievement, and together we celebrate what God continues to do through the Presbyterian Home for Children.”
EAGLE is the only accrediting agency that rates faith-based organizations.
“Reaccreditation is not simply a seal of approval; it’s a witness to a living faith,” said Rev. Leeann Scarbrough, Director of Spiritual Life. “The Home’s work shows what happens when people come together with a shared purpose to nurture, to heal, and to serve as Christ calls us to do.”
The EAGLE Accreditation Commission is governed by the Board of Directors of the Methodist Ministries Network (MMN). The Home will be formally recognized for its reaccreditation with commendation at the MMN Annual Meeting in March 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
About Presbyterian Home for Children
Now in its 157th year of service, Presbyterian Home for Children in Talladega, Alabama, is one of few organizations in the region caring for homeless boys and girls, along with their female caregivers in its Secure Dwellings Program. The Family Unity Center offers housing with wraparound support for mothers working to reunite with children placed in foster care, allowing them to transition within Secure Dwellings until they are ready for independence. The Home serves young female adults in crisis through its Transition to Adult Living Program and families in crisis over seven counties through its In-Home Intensive Services, Family Bridges. The Caminos® program, operated through a subrecipient grant with the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement, helps ensure unaccompanied children inside Alabama placed with sponsor families are living in safe and stable home environments.
