The About Truth“Crisis Pregnancy Centers” A Report presented by Care Net Reports: The Truth About “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” 1 of 21 #ppsellsbabyparts #DefundPP Abortion has been in the news a lot lately. In the summer of 2015, the Center for Medical Progress released undercover videos exposing the practices of the nation’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood. Then, when the presidential primaries started heating up in the fall, most of the candidates on both sides of the aisle expressed their views about the issue. In June 2016, the Supreme Court overturned important pro-life legislation in the Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt case. Finally, in #reprorights August, Illinois’ governor signed SB 1564 into law, requiring #reprojustice pregnancy centers to refer for abortions. In this environment, the work of “crisis pregnancy centers” has received more attention than usual. However, crisis #TeamLife pregnancy centers have been working in communities since the 1970s. But despite their longstanding work in thousands of communities across North America, there is a great deal of misinformation and misunderstanding about what pregnancy #wewontgoback centers actually do. To point, much of the information the public sees about pregnancy centers is produced by entities whose very goal is to misinform the public about them. Therefore, this report seeks to provide factual information, understanding, and context so that the public can exercise its right to make fully informed choices about the types of services and support pregnancy centers provide. What is a “crisis pregnancy center”? Th e term “crisis pregnancy center” has become outdated. resource centers, pregnancy care centers, or simply Not all women who seek information about their options pregnancy centers. While the term crisis pregnancy center is feel as though they are in a crisis. And “suggesting” to them still used by some in certain contexts, – through an organization’s name – that they should feel as these other terms are replacing that though they are in a crisis is counterproductive. Th erefore, term. Th erefore, for the remainder most “crisis pregnancy centers” have changed their names of this report, we will refer to such and/or have begun referring to themselves as pregnancy entities as pregnancy centers. Care Net Reports: The Truth About “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” 2 of 21 So, what is a pregnancy center? Care Net, the producer of this report, supports a network of Importantly, all of the above-mentioned services are provided over 1,100 pregnancy centers across North America. Services for free to clients, 100% of the time (see item 4 in Care Net’s provided by local Care Net-affi liated centers may include: Standards of Affi liation on page 6). In 2015 alone, Care Net pregnancy centers provided over $56 million U Pregnancy decision coaching by in free services to communities across the trained coaches country. Th e expanded information on page 4 U Free pregnancy tests illustrates the extent of this signifi cant support U Information about pregnancy of women, men, and families in need. options, including parenting, adoption, and abortion Many pregnancy centers also have a religious U Material resources affi liation. Care Net-affi liated centers, U Post-decision support (including for example, operate under a Christian parenting education and abortion statement of faith, which, as a consequence, recovery groups) gives an added dimension to their work. U Parenting Skill Training Pregnancy Specifi cally, the care the staff at the center U Relationship and Marriage Support provide is motivated by their faith, and, centers are where appropriate and welcomed, they share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with their Some centers off er specifi c medical services, community- clients. Th ese spiritual conversations can be including: key to helping a client truly transform their based, lives for the better. However, it is critical to U Consultation with a licensed note that in these centers, clients are served medical professional nonprofit without regard to age, sex, race, income, U Limited diagnostic ultrasound for nationality, religious affi liation, disability, or confi rmation of a viable pregnancy organizations other arbitrary circumstances. U Testing for sexually transmitted infections and diseases that provide While opponents of the work of pregnancy support to centers see the religious affi liation of some Approximately 60% of Care Net’s centers pregnancy centers as a de facto negative, are licensed to off er such medical services. women and there is no rational or concrete reason And as stated in item 12 of Care Net’s to question or discriminate against these Commitment to Care and Competence men faced with centers simply because of the beliefs of (page 5) — which Care Net requires all their workers. For example, many hospitals affi liates to adhere to — they provide these pregnancy and non-profi t charities (such as Catholic services “in accordance with all applicable Charities, World Vision, the Salvation laws, and in accordance with pertinent decisions. Army) have religious affi liations, but few medical standards, under the supervision question the quality of the care they provide and direction of a licensed physician.” based simply on their religious affi liation. WOMEN AND MEN HELPED SINCE 2008 2.8 Million MADE POSSIBLE ANNUALLY 30,000 VOLUNTEERS BY MORE THAN 400,000 DONORS Care Net Reports: The Truth About “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” 3 of 21 CENTERS $ SAVED COMMUNITIES 62,265 659 IN 2018 HEALTH SERVICES EMOTIONAL/SOCIAL MATERIALS EDUCATIONAL $40,342,730 $ 9,717,787 $6,938,796 $5,266,346 228,665 129,172 120,160 96,264 $47,4 0 0 REGENT UNIVERSITY 4YEAR SCHOLARSHIP Awarded to Lizzy Burton, Former Care Net Pregnancy Center client Less than 10% of Care Net centers received any type of state or federal funding. Care Net Reports: The Truth About “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” 4 of 21 What is the quality of the services provided by pregnancy centers? Care Net-affiliated centers adhere to Standards of Affiliation With these standards and commitments in mind, we will and a Commitment of Care and Competence that produce explore some specifics in the below documents to highlight consistent, quality services. Other affiliation networks have some key aspects of how pregnancy centers operate. similar policies to govern the behavior of their affiliates. Moreover, Care Net’s standards are no secret; they are posted publicly on the organization’s website and can be viewed below and on the next page. Critics of pregnancy centers paint a picture that depicts centers as unregulated, unprofessional, and uninformed. But the below standards provide legal, medical, and professional frameworks that enable centers to operate at a high standard. Care net’s Commitment of Care & Competence 1. Clients are served without regard to sex, age, race, 8. All of our advertising and communication are truthful income, nationality, religious affiliation, disability or and honest and accurately describe the services we offer. other arbitrary circumstances. 9. We provide a safe environment by screening all 2. Clients are treated with kindness, compassion and in a volunteers and staff interacting with clients. caring manner. 10. We are governed by a board of directors and operate in 3. Clients always receive honest and open answers. accordance with our articles of incorporation, by-laws, 4. Client pregnancy tests are distributed and and stated purpose and mission. administered in accordance with all applicable laws. 11. We comply with applicable legal and regulatory 5. Client information is held in strict and absolute requirements regarding employment, fundraising, confidence. Releases and permissions are obtained financial management, taxation, and public disclosure, appropriately. Client information is only disclosed as including the filing of all applicable government reports required by law and when necessary to protect the in a timely manner. client or others against imminent harm. 12. Medical services are provided in accordance with all applicable laws, and in accordance with pertinent 6. Clients receive accurate information about pregnancy, medical standards, under the supervision and direction fetal development, lifestyle issues, and related concerns. of a licensed physician.* 7. We do not offer, recommend, or refer for abortions, abortifacients, or contraceptives. We are committed to 13. All of our staff, board members, and volunteers receive offering accurate information about related risks and appropriate training to uphold these standards. procedures. *Not all pregnancy centers offer medical services. If you have questions about the services offered at this pregnancy center, please ask to speak to a center representative. Care Net Reports: The Truth About “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” 5 of 21 Care Net’s Standards of Affiliation 1. The primary mission of the 7. The pregnancy center adopts Adoption Referrals. Adoption pregnancy center is to share policies and procedures to ensure agencies may only be established the compassion, hope, and that all abortion education under the auspices of centers if help of Jesus Christ — both in is presented in a caring and they meet the strict standards word and deed — with those compassionate manner with set forth in Care Net’s Standards facing pregnancy decisions. due respect for the emotional for Pregnancy Centers Providing The pregnancy center is equally sensibilities and desires of each Adoption Services to assure that committed to sharing the Gospel of client. The use of explicit abortion pregnancy clients shall be served salvation through Jesus Christ with images is generally discouraged; without any conflicts of interest. those it serves. Commensurate with however, center personnel will 10. The center’s board oversees a these purposes, all board, staff, and always give specific content director who implements board regular volunteers (and any non- warnings and obtain written client policy and manages center regular volunteers who interact permission prior to showing any operations. with clients) of the pregnancy graphic depictions of abortion center have made a profession of or its results.