Originating in the early 1990’s, the “Commitment of Care” was formally adopted by major U.S. pregnancy help affiliation organizations in January 2001. Focusing primarily on positive client care, these ethical codes of practice dispelled the abortion activists’ false accusations and formed the basis for strong client services approval ratings.

Robust growth of pregnancy help efforts in specific – and non-profit entities in general – has brought additional scrutiny of these organizations. In response, the Leadership Alliance of Pregnancy Care Organizations (LAPCO), added new basic standards for organizational competency. Integrating these ethical codes of practice into the existing client-care elements produced the expanded document now known as the “Commitment of Care and Competence.”

Introduced in 2009 and updated in 2024, this commitment to ethical practices is the core standard for affiliation for all major life-affirming pregnancy help affiliate groups. We encourage affiliates to print the Commitment of Care and Competence and hang it up in your lobby.

• Clients are served without regard to age, race, income, nationality, religious affiliation, disability or other arbitrary circumstances.
• Clients are treated with kindness and compassion, in a caring manner.
• Clients always receive honest and open answers.
• Client information is kept securely and confidentially and only released with the client’s signed authorization or as required by law.
• Clients receive accurate information about pregnancy, fetal development, lifestyle issues, and related concerns.
• We do not offer, recommend, or refer for abortions or abortifacients, or contraceptives. We are committed to offering accurate information about related risks and procedures.
• All of our advertising and communications are truthful and honest, and accurately describe the services we offer.
• We provide a safe environment by screening and equipping all staff and volunteers interacting with clients.
• We are governed by a Board of Directors and operate in accordance with our articles of incorporation, bylaws, and stated purpose and mission.
• We comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements regarding employment, fundraising, financial management, taxation, and public disclosure, including the filing of all applicable government reports in a timely manner.
• All services are provided in accordance with pertinent and applicable laws. Medical services are provided in accordance with medical standards, under the supervision and direction of a licensed physician (or advanced clinical provider as permitted by law).
• All of our staff and volunteers receive appropriate training to uphold these standards.

Final language as approved by the Leadership Alliance of Pregnancy Care Organizations – 07/10/24

Download a copy of the Commitment of Care and Competence and hang it up at your center. 

Click here to access Heartbeat International's Raising the Standard course, which introduces organizations and their leaders to Our Commitment of Care and Competence.

Heartbeat Principles:

• Heartbeat affiliates propose and offer, through education and creative services, positive, life-affirming choices for the woman challenged by pregnancy.
• Heartbeat affiliates shall prefer and promote the value and place of sexual intimacy, children, and family building within marriage between one man and one woman.
• Heartbeat affiliates’ services are personal, confidential, and nonjudgmental.
• Heartbeat affiliates present alternatives to abortion without discriminating based on race, ethnicity, creed, color, national origin, age, or marital status.
• Heartbeat affiliates shall not advise, provide, or refer for abortion, abortifacients, or contraceptives.

Heartbeat Program Policies

• Heartbeat International does not promote abortion, abortifacients, or contraceptives.
• Heartbeat International does not promote birth control (devices or medications) for family planning, population control, or health issues, including disease prevention.
• Heartbeat International does promote God's Plan for our sexuality: marriage between one man and one woman, sexual intimacy, children, unconditional/unselfish love, and relationship with God must go together.
• Heartbeat International does promote sexual integrity/sexual purity before marriage and sexual integrity faithfulness within marriage.
• 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.

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.

Heartbeat International is the first network of pro-life pregnancy help organizations founded in the U.S. (1971), and it is now the most expansive network in the world. Heartbeat has over 3,800 affiliated pregnancy help loctions - including pregnancy help medical clinics (with ultrasound), resource centers, maternity homes, and adoption agencies - in more than 70 countries around the world to provide alternatives to abortion.

Heartbeat's Life-Saving Vision...

...is to make abortion unwanted today and unthinkable for future generations.

Heartbeat's Life-Saving Mission...

...is to Reach and Rescue as many lives as possible, around the world, through an effective network of life-affirming pregnancy help to Renew communities for LIFE.

To achieve our mission, we do the following:

We REACH those who are abortion-vulnerable through Option Line's® 24-hour contact center and cutting-edge website, www.OptionLine.org.

"Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me..." - Psalm 144:7

We RESCUE those who are reached through our life-support network of pregnancy centers providing true reproductive health care, ministry, education, and social services where lives are saved and changed.

"Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men; protect me from men of violence. " - Psalm 140:1

We RENEW broken cities around the world, by developing pregnancy centers where abortion clinics are the only alternative for abortion-vulnerable women.

"He sent me to bind up the brokenhearted...to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor... They will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations." - Isaiah 61:1-4

Heartbeat Principles:

• Heartbeat affiliates propose and offer, through education and creative services, positive choices for the woman challenged by pregnancy.
• Heartbeat affiliates shall not discriminate in their services on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, or marital status.
• Heartbeat affiliates’ services are personal, confidential, and non-judgmental.
• Heartbeat affiliates shall not advise, provide, or refer for abortion, abortifacients, or contraceptives.
• Heartbeat affiliates encourage chastity as a positive lifestyle choice.

Heartbeat Program Policies

• Heartbeat International does not promote abortion, abortifacients, or contraceptives.
• Heartbeat International does not promote birth control (devices or medications) for family planning, population control, or health issues, including disease prevention.
• Heartbeat International does promote God's Plan for our sexuality: marriage between one man and one woman, sexual intimacy, children, unconditional/unselfish love, and relationship with God must go together.
• Heartbeat International does promote sexual integrity/sexual purity before marriage and sexual integrity faithfulness within marriage.
• 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.

All Heartbeat centers must abide by Our Commitment of Care and Competence.

Web Services With You in Mind

Extend Web Services was formed with the goal of giving your pregnancy help organization the most effective, professional web presence to reach the woman who's looking for help, as well as the life-minded potential partner in your community, regardless of your organization's size or specific ministry model. Best of all, the Extend Web Services team is made up of members of the pregnancy help movement just like you! With the expertise of Heartbeat International's Medical and Legal Advisory Board and the talents and skills of our Web Administrative staff, Extend Web Services is here to make the online presence of your pregnancy help organization accurate, professional, and effective.

Extend can equip your organization with the internet presence you need at the price you can afford, all without the hassle of designing your own website.

Services Include:

• Websites - for clients and supporters!
• Google Ads Management
• Advanced SEO
• Blogging
• Social Media
• Local Search Marketing
• Design Services
• Hosted Email
• Pregnancy Test Quiz
• Video Commercials
• Targeted Display Ads

Discount for Affiliates!

Heartbeat Affiliates receive a 20% discount at Extend! Contact Extend today and learn more. If you are not yet an affiliate, click here to learn more and apply to be an affiliate today!

In addition to accurate, targeted content researched and produced by Heartbeat's expert staff, each Extend website utilizes a content management system (CMS) to allow for easy updating and editing by your center, putting the power in your hands to update your site's information as you see fit.

Appointment Scheduling is a complimentary Option Line opportunity that allows Option Line Consultants to set appointments at your center for callers—even when she contacts your center outside of business hours. Most Option Line contacts come at times when the nearest, local center is closed. That’s when Option Line's Appointment Scheduling kicks in to bring the assurance of help with an appointment for service. In fact, appointments scheduled through Option Line have an average show-rate of 78%! It’s the next best thing to a “live connect” directly to your center. (Available only in the U.S. and Canada.)

For information about Option Line Appointment Scheduling, call (866) 260-3763 (extension 1).

Pricing effective January 1, 2024

U.S. Pregnancy Help Ministries

$300.00 per year (U.S.) -or- $250.00 per year ($50 discount) if you have an affiliation with one of the following National Affiliation Organizations:

• Care Net
• NIFLA
• Christian Life Resources
• National Life Center
• Life Matters Worldwide
• National Christian Adoption Fellowship
• Christian Adoptions Alliance
• Save the Storks
• ICU Mobile

International Affiliates

USD 70.00 outside the U.S. Click here for more information!

Start-up Centers

Heartbeat International provides one year of free affiliation for brand-new centers.

Questions? Visit our FAQ page.

Being a part of a global network with other pregnancy help leaders is a great way to stay in tune with both the tried and true methods of connecting with clients and innovative ways to reach more in the community. So, consider joining the largest network of pregnancy help ministries in the world! Heartbeat affiliates participate in a network whose vast, God-given vision advances the pregnancy help movement worldwide and receive the following benefits of affiliation:

Comprehensive services. Heartbeat nurtures all aspects of our affiliates, from spiritual growth to workaday stewardship. We serve organizations as they strive to fulfill their vision, and we serve the team members who carry out that vision on a daily basis. Heartbeat affiliation offers you resources that help key staff, board, and workers at any level of your organization. From startup to long-standing services, from intervention basics to medical expansion, from pregnancy help to housing and more, Heartbeat is ready to come alongside with support. Heartbeat assistance and consultation is as close as a complimentary phone call or e-mail for affiliates in the U.S. and Canada. International affiliate consults (English language) are also available via email and Skype.

Discount of 20%. This affiliate-only discount on Heartbeat resources applies to most trainings, manuals, and webinars. 

Exclusive Grant Opportunities. Heartbeat offers a variety of grants to affiliated pregnancy centers to cover a multitude of needs; from operational grants to specialized trainings; from start up grants via our Pregnancy Center Life Launch program to scholarships for your clients through our Unplanned Movie Scholarship; Heartbeat is here to help you invest in your center, your staff, and your clients.

Option Line 24/7 Contact Center. Affiliates in the U.S. and Canada qualify to be listed on this 24-hour, English and Spanish referral helpline. This hotline advertises the services of pregnancy help organizations and connects women in need with their nearest Heartbeat International affiliate. Option Line® offers this service 24/7 by toll-free phone calls, text messaging and live chat. For details on how your center can qualify for Option Line, call (614) 802-2808 during normal business hours, EST. Click here to learn how your Heartbeat-affiliated organization can forward your hotline to Option Line.

Faith-based Retirement Plan. Exclusively for Heartbeat International’s headquarters and affiliate organizations. In partnership with the Faith-Based Retirement Experts at Envoy Financial. Click here to learn how to implement a 403B plan or an IRA plan in your organization.

Timely ePublications and The Best of Heartbeat digest. Affiliates may subscribe to Heartbeat’s electronic newsletters (e-zines) on specialized topics. These dynamic, easy-to-read publications are jam-packed with spiritual refreshment as well as ideas for programs, fundraising, and client resources, in addition to news about other affiliates and national events. All affiliates receive The Best of Heartbeat™ digest twice a year.

Complimentary Affiliates-Only material. Password-protected material is accessible through our website’s Affiliates-Only section. Heartbeat’s up-to-date, on-demand, downloadable, and accurate information for pregnancy help ministries includes talking points, resource updates, medical studies, Heartbeat fact sheets, and much more.

Babies Go to Congress Event. Heartbeat’s Babies Go To Congress® program works with affiliates to create an environment where the great work of pregnancy help ministries can flourish. Affiliates can gain priceless expertise in defending against legislative attacks while developing excellent marketing materials in the process. Your center can also give moms a character-building experience when you participate in Babies Go To Congress. 

Conferences and specialized trainings. Heartbeat trainings come to you live, online, and on-demand through programs such as the Annual Conference, Pregnancy Help Institute, , and webinars through the Heartbeat Academy.

Life-affirming Specialist (LAS) Certification. Heartbeat International has developed a professional designation for those working in life-affirming ministries, raising the credibility of those professionals. Life-Affirming Specialist™ Certification communicates a high level of study, competency, and familiarity with the latest research and findings related to life-affirming information and training. 

On-site training and consultation. Heartbeat affiliates qualify for exceptional discounts on a variety of training topics.
Appointment-setting for your center during off-hours. Through Option Line’s Appointment Scheduling service, your clients can set appointments at your center, even after regular business hours.

Legal protection for pregnancy help organizations. Through this partnership, your ministry can join Alliance Defending Freedom and get the religious liberty legal help you need at a discounted rate.

Web design for your center. Extend Web Services provides affiliates with a wide selection of websites and connectivity levels with a discount for Heartbeat Affiliates.

First year’s affiliation gratis. If your center is a startup, Heartbeat helps you get on your feet with a free year of membership. (Brand new? Visit our page dedicated to startup pregnancy help ministries.)

Consultations for building center effectiveness. Many affiliates find great value in Heartbeat’s Center 360° Assessment℠, as well as legal and medical reviews, and Pregnancy Help Institute.

Sexual Integrity Program. Heartbeat’s comprehensive approach reaches out to clients with a message of sexual wholeness. The Sexual Integrity™ Program has elements that can help every client discover her identity as an image-bearer of God, and learn to live out her sexuality in a true, excellent, honest and pure way. Heartbeat is available to answer all of your questions.

Regent University Opportunities. Heartbeat affiliates are able to enroll in a free leadership course at Regent University and apply for a Tuition Scholarship for any degree or program through the PACE program. Additional information available at their website here.

Heartbeat’s Worldwide Directory Desk Reference™. All affiliates receive a complimentary copy of this annually updated pregnancy help ministry reference. 

At Heartbeat International, we believe in connection and are dedicated to supporting you every step of the way. As a Heartbeat affiliate, you'll receive comprehensive support, including spiritual growth, effective boardroom practices, and guidance. Whether you're starting out or looking to enhance your established ministry, we're here to help. As the largest pregnancy help association globally, we support over 3,800 organizations, providing alternatives to abortion. Join us and experience the Heartbeat difference as we work together to fulfill God's mission.

At Heartbeat, we believe in connection.

We’re available by phone, in person, and by email. 

We know the importance of this mission God has called you to, and we are here every step of the way. In our most recent year, Heartbeat made 212,000 connections with frontline affiliates! That’s 2 per minute!

We’re honored to join your journey as the Lord takes you to new heights. Heartbeat International was called into existence for this purpose. We're in this together. We're here to serve you as you seek God's best in your work.

Advancing Life-Affirming Pregnancy Help Worldwide.

Heartbeat International is a Christian, interdenominational association that provides networking opportunities and the support, training, and resources for members to be creative and entrepreneurial in their own communities, as the Lord leads. It is the largest pregnancy help association in the world, currently supporting, starting, and strengthening over 3,800 pregnancy help organizations—including international affiliates on every inhabited continent—to provide alternatives to abortion. Our members include pregnancy help centers, maternity homes, non-profit adoption agencies, and abortion recovery programs.

Get started today by completing an application online:

Click here for a printable version of this application to mail in.

 Once complete, come back to this page to discover more ways Heartbeat is Moving the Movement!

To become an affiliate of Heartbeat International, you must review and agree to abide by the Heartbeat Principles and the Commitment of Care and Competence:

• Heartbeat International does not promote abortion, abortifacients, or contraceptives.
• Heartbeat International does not promote birth control (devices or medications) for family planning, population control, or health issues, including disease prevention.
• Heartbeat International does promote God's Plan for our sexuality: marriage between one man and one woman, sexual intimacy, children, unconditional/unselfish love, and relationship with God must go together.
• Heartbeat International does promote sexual integrity/sexual purity before marriage and sexual integrity faithfulness within marriage.
• 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.

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.

Sources

1. https://www.kofc.org/en/resources/communications/polls/marist-poll-results2024.pdf
2. https://lozierinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Pregnancy-Center-2024-Update-full.pdf
3. https://www.heartbeatinternational.org/lifetrends