A program started by Focus on the Family to place ultrasound machines in pregnancy centers has saved thousands and thousands of babies from abortion and now the program is expanding to promote adoption.
Focus on the Family is teaming up with the National Council for Adoption (NCA) to train counselors in pregnancy resource centers and medical clinics on how to discuss adoption as a possibility with women facing unexpected pregnancies.
Throughout 2013, Focus will fund 10 regional training events across the U.S. that will be taught by NCA and use its “Consider the Possibilities” program to educate counselors. The curriculum addresses infant adoption information and explains how to provide current information on adoption options in a non-coercive way.
In order to better serve women, Focus’ Option Ultrasound program (OUP) provides grants for ultrasound machines and sonography training to life-affirming pregnancy medical clinics in high-abortion communities across the U.S. Abortion-minded women that see a real-time ultrasound image of their baby are much more likely to choose life. Many have said they were so thankful to have had the opportunity to receive those services.
More than 146,000 babies have been saved from abortion since the program began in 2004.
“It’s such a natural fit for Focus to work with the National Council for Adoption because we both see the God-given value of every human life,” said Kelly Rosati, Focus’ vice president of community outreach. “Knowing how to approach the topic of adoption with a woman who didn’t plan to be pregnant will help to ease her anxiety and meet her baby’s need for a permanent, loving family. We want to help women understand the choices available to them.”
Option Ultrasound gave 46 grants to qualified clinics in 2012 and has provided 585 grants since the program’s inception in 2004. It also supplied more than $350,000 worth of benevolent resources to more than 1,000 clinics in 2012 alone.
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Focus on the Family recently published a new booklet called “I Might Consider Adoption If…” as part of a series of benevolent resources that will help women make informed decisions about an unexpected pregnancy.
Focus’ sanctity of human life efforts are part of the year-long “Be a Voice for Life” campaign that seeks to promote the dignity and God-given worth of every human being. In addition to highlighting the child in the womb, this year’s campaign will focus on human trafficking, preventable child death and orphan care.
For more information, visit https://www.heartlink.org/beavoice/.
