Providing cost savings to tax payers, Pennsylvania-headquartered Real Alternatives offers a host of pregnancy support services spanning prenatal care and resources referrals related to sexual health and STDs. Real Alternatives’ successful Alternatives to Abortion Program assists women who select childbirth in receiving appropriate support and medical treatment.

The organization has achieved positive results, with a significant majority of abortion-pressured and abortion-minded women ultimately deciding to keep their babies. One key emphasis is on education with regards to forced abortions, which are illegal under all circumstances. Neither the parent, sibling, family member, physician, nor father of the child, has the right to insist on abortion without informed consent. In addition, performing an abortion without private medical consultation is punishable under the law.

In cases when an expecting mother feels forced into an abortion, even if she is a minor, she has a number of rights. She can refuse to sign documents given by the clinic or parent, which demonstrate agreement to the abortion. She also can inform all clinicians she comes into contact with that she does not agree to the abortion and will sue the facility if an abortion is performed. Other options include contacting the county court house and stopping the abortion through a court of common pleas filing. Any expecting mother who feels pressured to have an abortion can contact 1-888-LIFE-AID to receive confidential, no-cost assistance.

Pregnancy

Real Alternatives directs the Pregnancy and Parenting Support Services programs in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Indiana. As a charitable organization, Real Alternatives has served over 275,000 women in these states since 1996. Women who are expecting or think they may be pregnant can call 1-888-LIFEAID for free pregnancy tests and doctor referrals. Find more information about common pregnancy concerns below.

Q: What should I eat during pregnancy?
A: It is important to stick to a healthy diet and take prenatal vitamins during pregnancy in order to get all essential vitamins and minerals daily. Fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, whole grains, and foods rich in calcium are important. Additionally, sticking to lean meats, such as chicken and turkey, can contribute to the healthy development of the baby.

Q: What foods should I avoid while pregnant?
A: Any fish with high levels of mercury, such as albacore (white tuna fish), swordfish, and other large fish, as well as raw fish, should be avoided, but cooked fish with lower levels can be eaten in moderation. Unpasteurized cheese and milk, hot dogs, and lunch meat can contain Listeria, which has the potential to cause miscarriages.

Q: How can I ease nausea and vomiting during pregnancy?
A: Move slowly in the morning, and drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Also, eat five or six small meals every day to make sure your stomach is never completely empty. Avoiding foods that are hard to digest and getting enough fresh air can also help. Simple carbohydrates such as crackers and potatoes may settle your stomach and ginger snaps or ginger ale can be helpful.

Real Alternatives
Image: realalternatives.org

Currently funding 145 pregnancy support centers throughout three states, Real Alternatives provides reproductive health services, crisis pregnancy counseling, and a variety of other supportive services aimed at empowering pregnant women to choose childbirth. Real Alternatives began in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1996, and has since had a significant positive impact on expectant mothers throughout the state.

Statistics compiled by the Pennsylvania Department of Health recently revealed that the number of abortions performed in the state has decreased significantly since reaching a record high in 1980. The total of 32,126 abortions were performed in 2014 represents a 51.2 percent drop from the record 65,777 abortions that took place in 1980.

According to Maria Gallagher, legislative director of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, there are numerous factors that have contributed to the decline in abortions among Pennsylvania women. These include legislative changes, such as the Abortion Control Act, which implemented new requirements for informed and parental consent and established a 24-hour waiting period. Ms. Gallagher also cited social media as a driving force influencing women’s decisions, as well as the rising prevalence of 4D ultrasound technology. In addition, she noted the integral role played by life-affirming organizations such as Real Alternatives, which has provided emotional and material support to over 275,000 pregnant women through Pennsylvania’s Alternatives to Abortion program since 1996.

Indiana
Image: irtl.org

Since 1996, Real Alternatives has strived to provide caring and life-affirming resources to expectant mothers in crisis. Providing assistance with not only healthcare referrals, but also baby food, shelter, career readiness, and education, Real Alternatives has expanded from an initial government-funded program in Pennsylvania to encompass 145 nonprofit resource centers across three states.

In 2014, Real Alternatives partnered with the state of Indiana to launch a pilot pregnancy support program comprised of 16 local pregnancy centers throughout northern Indiana. The $1 million pilot project assisted over 8,400 individuals across nearly 17,000 visits. Following this success, Indiana Governor Mike Pence announced the expansion of the program via a statewide contract with Real Alternatives. Just as it had previously done in Pennsylvania and Michigan, the organization administers the program for the state and uses state monies and/or a percentage of its Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funding to serve expectant mothers at life-affirming pregnancy centers in several communities.

Announcing the broadened program on October 12, 2015, Governor Pence detailed the wide range of services to be facilitated by the newly earmarked $3.5 million. The new Real Alternatives-funded centers will provide counseling and resources to assist with childcare, drug dependence, physical or emotional abuse, and a host of other challenges. Also commenting on the partnership, Real Alternatives President and CEO Kevin I. Bagatta expressed his organization’s excitement at the program expansion, as it will allow them to increase the pool of more than 250,000 women served at their supportive community centers.

For more than two decades, Real Alternatives has assisted women and families by providing pregnancy and parenting support services throughout Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Indiana. A highly regarded nonprofit organization, Real Alternatives maintains accreditation under the Standards for Excellence program of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO). Real Alternatives, has been accredited with the Seal of Excellence by PANO for the third time since 2002 for successfully meeting the 56 criteria of the Standards for Excellence program.

Based on a national initiative launched by the Standards for Excellence Institute, PANO’s Standar ds for Excellence program is based on the fundamental values such as honesty, integrity, fairness, respect, trust, responsibility, and accountability. Real Alternatives’ programs and services, management, fundraising, and financial practices were examined in depth using 56 criteria before the accreditation was granted.

To become accredited under PANO’s Standard for Excellence program, a nonprofit organization must take part in a Standard for Excellence training program and then create a detailed plan on how it will make adjustments and changes to meet each of the standards outlined in the code. Once the organization has addressed the areas targeted for improvement, a process that can take anywhere from several months to a few years, management can then gather and submit an application and all corollary information and materials needed for an accreditation review.

Although it is not a simple task, becoming accredited strengthens organizations and gives management access to 30 educational resources for continual improvement. Accreditation also promotes trust within the community and can help facilitate fundraising efforts. For more information about PANO’s Standards for Excellence program, visit www.pano.org.