Focus on the Family's Option Ultrasound™ Program has enjoyed relationships and accomplishments with hundreds of Pregnancy Medical Clinics (PMCs) since beginning in 2004.

In order for a pregnancy resource center (PRC) to offer ultrasound services to women in their community, it is important that it comply with national standards in only using ultrasound as defined by the American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine. As well, it must become compliant with any licensure requirements by the state in which it resides. These changes can be substantial, and Focus on the Family can help. Option Ultrasound has potential grants available to provide step-by-step assistance through the medical conversion process.

Those who have been blessed by a TLC grant from Focus on the Family might say they've received "tender loving care" but TLC actually stands for The Life Choice Project™. Working in tandem with a medical consultant from National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA), this grant covers 100% of the cost for a qualified pregnancy center to convert into a medical facility operating under the supervision and direction of a licensed physician and complying with the laws of its state, city and county. The TLC Grant is in addition to other Option Ultrasound grants for either an ultrasound machine or sonography training.

According to the NIFLA manual:

"Converting to medical clinic status means not only doing the right things, but doing things right. There simply are no short cuts. You must build your medical clinic on sound business and medical practices or risk paying the price. It is important to evaluate your current services as a benchmark of where you are today and why you want to add medical services.

Centers that convert to medical clinic status experience:

1. an increase in the total number of clients seen on an annual basis;
2. an increase in the number of abortion-minded clients seen; and
3. a dramatic increase in the percentage of clients choosing life.

Operating as a medical clinic allows you to combine loving care with quality professional services and build trusting relationships. When volunteers at your center join with professional medical support the net result is more decisions for life from women who might otherwise choose abortion."

If the PRC qualifies, the TLC Grant is designed to cover 100% of the cost of medical conversion for centers in potential high abortion activity areas. A Pregnancy Resource Center must apply to Option Ultrasound by completing the Ministry Profile located on this Web site.

Upon receipt of your Ministry Profile, an Application Package will be mailed to you. An Option Ultrasound team member will contact your designated individual after reviewing your application and will help determine which Option Ultrasound grants may best meet your center's needs.

NIFLA has many years of medical and legal experience and is an effective partner in helping PRCs achieve organizational strength as they bring medical services to their ministries. For more information on "The Life Choice" Project, visit their Web site at www.nifla.org .

All Pregnancy Medical Clinics in the Option Ultrasound Program provide limited obstetrical ultrasound as medically indicated. Clinics are licensed to operate under the supervision of a physician, using only trained sonographers. Focus on the Family does not endorse the use of ultrasound outside of a medical clinic setting and does not endorse the use of ultrasound for non-medical reasons. Patient referrals are made to physicians for follow-up diagnosis and care as needed.