Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do I start a pregnancy center?

A. Heartbeat offers a number of resources to brand new organizations, and you can find them all by clicking here.

Additionally, those starting a center receive complimentary first year affiliation along with discount pricing on resources. Affiliates have access to consultation by phone and/or email. Our affiliates receive special discounts on training, consultations and conferences as well. Affiliates receive newsletters and email blasts with updates on important information that pregnancy help organizations need to know. Affiliation with Heartbeat also adds your organization to Option Line. (See question below regarding Option Line.)

We also suggest that you go to OptionLine.org, click on “find a center,” and enter your zip code to see if/what other organizations exist in your area and network with them as you pursue starting a ministry so as to not compete with funding resources in the area. Sometimes we find that a group may wish to open a center in an area where another center has been strategically planning and praying to open. You may actually be the answer to another center's prayers.

When you inform us that your center is open we will then include your information in the worldwide directory (and on Option Line if you are an affiliate).

Q. What is Heartbeat International?

A. Heartbeat International® is the first network of pro-life pregnancy resource centers in the U.S. and the most expansive in the world. Since 1971, Heartbeat has supported, strengthened and started over 4,000 pregnancy help locations on every inhabited continent to provide alternatives to abortion.

We are a nonprofit, interdenominational Christian association of faith-based pregnancy resource centers, medical clinics, maternity homes, and adoption agencies endorsed by Christian leaders nationwide.

Heartbeat is what is known as a federation. It is a looser type of association. Members must adhere to 5 basic principles, and all other matters of policy and management are up to the local Board of Directors. Centers are encouraged to be entrepreneurial and are seen as the experts in their particular community. Reporting statistics is not required, but an annual survey, including stats, is requested.

Pregnancy centers are encouraged to use a statement of faith with which they feel comfortable. Many use statements that reflect orthodox Christianity such as the Nicene Creed. Samples are supplied upon request of an interdenominational statement of faith that focuses on being inclusive rather than exclusive.

Those who want direction and resources but place a high value on being independent in decision-making will enjoy affiliation with Heartbeat.

Q. What is the difference between Heartbeat International and Care Net?

Heartbeat International was founded in 1971 by the first pregnancy help centers in the country, who wanted their own affiliation organization. Its first name was Alternatives to Abortion (soon changed to Alternatives to Abortion International or AAI). AAI described itself as “non-denominational and non-sectarian.” When key Evangelical leaders joined the pro-life movement in the mid 1970’s, AAI supported their efforts to found a pro-life organization with an explicit Evangelical statement of faith. This new Evangelical organization was named Christian Action Council (now called Care Net). To learn how to start pregnancy help centers, the Executive Director of Christian Action Council, Curt Young, was invited to serve on the AAI Board (now Heartbeat International), and he did for 3½ years. Christian Action Council (now Care Net) started its first pregnancy help center in 1981.

Heartbeat International and Care Net share a common cause in inspiring and equipping Christian communities in the establishment of pregnancy help efforts that reach the vulnerable and rescue the innocent. In addition, we have previously partnered together for nine years on a joint venture that founded and developed Option Line, as well as currently work together to publish a Salary Survey bi-annually. Such cooperative efforts serve our common goals in a Great Work that saves and changes lives by the power of the Gospel at work in and through us.

Care Net and Heartbeat are not identical, however. Heartbeat International's distinctives include:

• Heartbeat International is international in scope. (Reference Matthew 28:19 and Acts 1:8) From its inception, Heartbeat, then called Alternatives to Abortion International (or AAI), recognized that alternatives to abortion were going to be needed worldwide as abortion was a global tragedy. Heartbeat has affiliates on every inhabited continent and travels regularly in support of our global mission and our international partners. Care Net only has affiliated service providers in the U.S. and Canada.

• Heartbeat International trains and supports leaders for a broad range of life-affirming affiliates including pregnancy help centers (medical and non-medical), maternity homes, adoption agencies, abortion recovery efforts, social services, and others who align with our Christ-centered mission, values, and principles. Care Net only affiliates pregnancy centers, while also working to engage and equip local church participants to directly offer compassion, hope, help, and discipleship to women and men considering abortion.

• Heartbeat International is founded upon historic Christian orthodoxy as recognized in the Nicene Creed and/or the Apostle’s Creed. Heartbeat purposely integrates passionate pro-life proponents from all Christendom (Evangelical, Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Charismatic, and non-denominational) at every level of Heartbeat (board, leadership, staff, and consultants), and in its training and materials. The development or adoption of a particular statement of faith, as well as its missional focus, is a matter left to each independent affiliate of Heartbeat. Care Net, by contrast, is expressly organized as an Evangelical ministry, expecting their affiliating pregnancy center is “equally committed to sharing the Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ with those it serves” (from the Care Net “Standards of Affiliation,” as of 08/2019). This includes Care Net requiring each affiliated pregnancy center board to acknowledge annually and affirm the Care Net Statement of Faith, which is adapted from the National Association of Evangelicals’ Statement of Faith.

• Heartbeat International’s ministry philosophy is intentionally grassroots, bottom-up, innovative and entrepreneurial. While both Heartbeat and Care Net use the national code of ethical conduct known as our Commitment of Care and Competence as a standard of affiliation, Heartbeat has only a few additional non-negotiable requirements for affiliation (see Heartbeat Principles). Heartbeat highlights effective models of ministry arising from our affiliates for our affiliates to evaluate, imitate and adapt further. Heartbeat trains in best practices, but avoids setting required policies and procedures or forcing rigid reporting requirements. Care Net requires pregnancy centers abide by 15 “Standards of Affiliation,” including annually submitting a "Care Net Certificate of Compliance," Pregnancy Center Statistical Report, and additional policy requirements relative to adoption services, and use of the Care Net logo.

• Heartbeat International embraces the call to promote a culture of life among our clients, constituents, communities, and countries. This philosophy of ministry brings us to extend our work beyond core compassion outreach services to include influencing our cultures at large. We fulfill this in partnership with our affiliates, in part, by interacting with the government at various levels (for example, in our Babies Go To Congress program), by impacting public policy, and by calling clients and our culture to true reproductive health. The latter is embodied in our unique Sexual Integrity Program which introduces a model for sexual wholeness for use in pregnancy help efforts to promote healthy and life-affirming choices regarding sexuality.

Click here to learn more about the Heartbeat Difference!

Q. How do we add medical services to our Pregnancy Center?

A. Heartbeat offers several resources that will assist you in this process. For example, Medical Essentials for Pregnancy Help Organizations helps centers explore the question, "Should we expand in this area?" with its guidance on evaluating the rationale for offering medical services. Heartbeat is with you through this Manual as you look at the needs of your community as well as the benefits, issues, and resource requirements of a medical pregnancy center.

To offer ultrasound you must first become a medical clinic – meaning that you have a Medical Director who is a D.O. and/or M.D. to operate under his/her licensure. You will also need insurance to operate a medical clinic.

Your center will need an ultrasound tech, a trained nurse, or other trained health professional as approved by your state regulations and your medical director to perform ultrasounds.

You may also wish to find a center in your area that offers medical services and tour their facility. They may be able to walk you through the transition quickly by sharing their process and their policies and procedures.

Q. I’m a new director, what resources are available to assist me?

A. Heartbeat International has developed several resources in our online store, including a manual, Directing Essentials, that was written just for you. Directing Essentials equips new directors and refreshes seasoned directors for effective day-to-day operations.

Once a year we offer the New Director track at Pregnancy Help Institute for directors with three years of experience or less. The training provides an opportunity for you to network with other Directors, learn important responsibilities, and get your questions answered. The annual Heartbeat International Pregnancy Help Conference is also a great opportunity to learn and grow as a pregnancy help organization director.

We also offer manuals on employee policies, and Sample Policies and Procedures for Pregnancy Centers. You can read more about these and other resources in our online store. You will also receive a copy of our latest resource catalog when you affiliate.

Q. As a Board member, what resources are available to me?

A. The Board has the full responsibility of the organization. Heartbeat has developed several resources in the online store for Board members and the Executive Director. Additionally, Governing Essentials is a manual that supports the spiritual growth of Board Members who lead by radiating our Christ-based vision of a bright future to everyone touched by the organization. It guides board members toward a common vision and toward a consensus of expectations, so that they can focus resources on their common mission.

As a Board member we offer you consultation by phone and email as well as encourage you to take advantage of the trainings and conferences we offer throughout the year.

Q. Our ministry is experiencing conflict between the Board and the Executive Director, what can we do?

A. Conflict between a Board and Executive Director can be difficult, but it is not uncommon in ministry organizations. Many conflicts arise when roles, communication pathways, and spheres of authority are unclear or not consistently followed. Healthy governance begins with understanding that the Board serves as the governing authority, while the Executive Director leads the day-to-day operations and staff. Individual Board members should avoid giving directives to staff or the Executive Director outside of established processes.

Clear communication, healthy boundaries, and accountability are essential for maintaining trust and unity within an organization. Heartbeat encourages ministries to have written conflict resolution policies in place and to follow biblical principles for reconciliation, including the pattern outlined in Matthew 18.

The Governing Essentials training and resources address these issues in greater depth. We also offer support by phone and email and encourage organizations facing challenges to reach out for guidance and support.

For special training, we offer on-site and virtual consultations on this topic. Click here to learn more.

Additionally, these resources through Relational Wisdom 360™ may be of benefit to you and your organization.

Q. How can we find out if we are a mandated reporter?

A. It is important that clients be appropriately notified before receiving services that the center’s promise of confidentiality is subject to certain exceptions. The following statement may be inserted on client services forms to provide this notice: “All information shared by you during your relationship as a client with the center will be kept in the strictest confidence except as required by law or as required for the protection of you or others".

We recommend that your center carefully review state requirements to determine the scope of your reporting responsibilities as related to statutory rape. A good resource for the laws in this area is located at: https://www.childwelfare.gov/resources/mandatory-reporting-child-abuse-and-neglect/. Type in your state to see what the law is in your state and further narrow your search to select those topics that are of interest to you (i.e., who is a mandatory reporter, how abuse/neglect is defined, etc.)

Heartbeat also recommends that you also check with your local attorney to understand the laws in your state regarding this issue.

Q. What is Option Line?

A. Option Line is a program of Heartbeat International, with the toll-free number 1-800-712-HELP (4357), and website www.OptionLine.org available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via call, text, chat, email or digitally through our self-service locator tool. Originally a joint venture with Care Net from 2003-2012, this outreach has responded to millions contacts. Option Line refers each contact to a pregnancy help center near them for life-affirming services (including pregnancy tests, ultrasound, material aid) and/or answers to questions about abortion, adoption, parenting, medical referrals, housing, and many other issues.

Option Line refers each contact to a pregnancy help center near them for life-affirming services.

In order to receive calls, appointments and referrals from Option Line, a service provider must be a current affiliate of Heartbeat International and follow the national standard Commitment of Care and Competence. Currently, Care Net affiliates in good standing are also listed as an extension of our previous joint venture.

Q. What's the difference between Option Line and Pregnancy Decision Line?

While both Option Line and Pregnancy Decision Line connect with pregnancy help organizations, there are some distinct differences that make them both unique.

As an affiliate of Heartbeat International and/or Care Net, your organization is more than likely represented on both www.OptionLine.org and www.PregnancyDecisionLine.org as a place for women seeking pregnancy help to turn. If your organization is not listed, three reasons are mentioned in the next question below.

Beyond answering the phones, Option Line can schedule appointments at your center! Please review your organization's details to ensure that they are up-to-date. If you have any changes at all, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling us at (866) 260-3763 (extension 1).

Greater outreach means more connections for clients to your center.

We are here to serve the pregnancy help movement and the women in the communities it serves. We know that the best alternative to abortion is another person, that is why we do all we can to connect women with pregnancy help as soon as possible.

Q. How can I make certain I am a part of Option Line?

A. As a Heartbeat affiliate, you have the opportunity to become part of Option Line. However, affiliation does not automatically place you on the network. If you are a Heartbeat or Care Net affiliate and your center is not currently listed on Option Line, here is a list of possible reasons why your center does not show up in the search:

• Your affiliation with Heartbeat and/or Care Net has lapsed.
• Your center has not fully adopted the Commitment of Care and Competence.
• Your center is located outside of the U.S. and Canada.

Note: For questions regarding Pregnancy Help Decision Line, please contact Care Net directly. If you meet all the requirements and your center is still not listed on Option Line, please contact Heartbeat or call the Option Line business office at (866) 260-3763 (extension 1).

Q. What is Extend Web Services?

A. Extend Web Services is a web hosting and design service specifically for pregnancy help organizations operated as a program of Heartbeat International. Extend Web Services provides affordable options for outreach to clients as well as supporter sites. Whether you need the simplest and easiest way to reach clients or dynamic personalized options, the Extend product line provides numerous options. Extend also provides Search Engine Optimization services for websites whether hosted by Extend or not.

Extend products have a medically-accurate managed content and have the unique opportunity to be linked via the Option Line website. Their services are available regardless of affiliation with Heartbeat International.

Q. What is Next Level?

A. Next Level CMS harnesses the power of big data to make local centers and medical clinics as effective as they can possibly be. At Heartbeat, we believe we are better together, and our center management software reflects that by collecting data, across the pregnancy help movement, on critical metrics to provide powerful, actionable insights at the local level.

Crafted by a team of professional healthcare software developers, Next Level CMS also closes a key informational gap within local centers by streamlining intake and data collection to unleash your organization's power of woman-centered service.

Next Level CMS's tablet-based, mobile-native design also gives you a cutting-edge tool to make sure that no client ever falls through the cracks from the moment you say "Hello."

Q. What is Heartbeat's position on birth control?

A. Heartbeat International does not promote birth control (devices or medications) for family planning, population control, or health issues, including disease prevention.

All Heartbeat International policies and materials are consistent with Biblical principles and with orthodox Christian (Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox) ethical principles and teaching on the dignity of the human person and sanctity of human life.