Real Alternatives Achieves Successful Indiana Expansion

Real Alternatives is a nonprofit organization that leverages the support of more than 140 service providers to assist women in finding life-affirming solutions to unexpected pregnancies. Established in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1996, Real Alternatives has since expanded its services to Michigan and Indiana. In November 2014, Indiana became the third state to welcome Real Alternatives to its social services landscape. That month, the nonprofit pregnancy and parenting support organization partnered with the state to create and administer the Pregnancy and Parenting Support Program of Indiana, which directs women in crisis pregnancies to abortion alternatives such as counseling and mentorship programs.

At the time, Real Alternatives had served over 250,000 women at its 95 Pennsylvania centers, in addition to more than 1,700 women served at its 17 Michigan centers since 2013. Its expansion to Indiana allowed the nonprofit to deliver its life-affirming services to a host of new communities throughout Indiana. The partnership between Real Alternatives and the Indiana government began with a yearlong trial engagement, during which the state’s health department provided a $1 million contract with Real Alternatives to establish 16 pregnancy support centers. Over the course of the year, these centers served approximately 8,400 clients at nearly 17,000 visits, providing services to assist mothers both before and after giving birth.

This network continues to operate similarly to Real Alternatives programs in other states, with Real Alternatives administering the service provider payments, inspections, client advertising and education material purchases in order to provide free counseling support and resources to expectant mothers.

Real Alternatives Serves Women in Indiana

Headquartered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Real Alternatives provides women with pregnancy support, as well as a diverse range of reproductive health services, information about adoption, and parenting assistance. Several states, including Indiana, have entered into contracts with Real Alternatives to fund centers that provide these services.

In 2015, then-governor Mike Pence declared that Indiana would support Real Alternatives in establishing 16 women's health centers to provide counseling for issues ranging from emotional and physical abuse to breastfeeding and child care. The contract, which stipulated $2.25 million in funding from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, ensured that thousands of women would receive counseling and support throughout their pregnancies and for the first year of their children's lives.

Prior to the announcement of the contract, the organization had already completed a year-long trial program in the state. During that time, it assisted more than 8,400 individuals at a cost of only $1 million to the Indiana State Department of Health, helping those feeling hopeless to find healing and support.

Then-Governor Mike Pence’s Support of Indiana’s Real Alternatives

Offering pregnancy support services that are confidential, caring, and free, Real Alternatives maintains a presence spanning states from Pennsylvania to Michigan. Under then-Governor Mike Pence, Indiana announced in late 2015 that it would leverage the momentum of a successful pilot program in implementing a statewide $3.5 million expansion of Real Alternatives.

Regarding the long-term impact he hoped to achieve through this backing, Governor Pence spoke of wanting see more women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy receive needed assistance, support, and education. Responding to criticism from some corners that Real Alternatives does not counsel or advocate for abortion, he noted that under Indiana law, “childbirth is preferred, encouraged, and supported over abortion” (IC 16-34-1-1). He described the provided services as being both legal and in sync with a pro-life worldview that defines Hoosier values.

Mike Pence also commended the nonprofit orientation of Real Alternatives, such that any participating service provider cannot charge money for services rendered. This he saw as essential in ensuring that all Indiana residents would be able to access the state-funded program with ease.