Valerie Harkins

Executive Director, Maternity Housing Coalition

Biography

Valerie has worked in pregnancy help ministry since 2006 and joined the Heartbeat team as Director of the Maternity Housing Coalition in 2021. A licensed social worker, Valerie specializes in Anti-Violence Public Education and Attachment Theory. She has experience with operating pregnancy centers and maternity homes as well as designing supportive programs for single mothers. Valerie has a passion for empowering children through education and women through opportunity. Her heart’s desire is to see women know and love Jesus as King. At Heartbeat, she is responsible for creating effective content to engage the maternity housing community.

Michele Cheresnick

Affiliation Coordinator at Heartbeat International

Biography

Michele Cheresnick is an Affiliate Services Coordinator at Heartbeat International, where she serves pregnancy help leaders by providing guidance, encouragement, and practical support. She brings over seven years of experience in the pregnancy help movement, including roles as Client Services Director and After Abortion Support Director. Michele is deeply committed to ministry and leadership development within the pro-life community. She is passionate about equipping others to lead with purpose and compassion, and she firmly believes that Jesus is at the center of every story—and that healing and transformation often begin when those stories are shared.

Academy Suite of Training on Trauma-Informed Care

This curated collection of trainings explores trauma-informed care across the full continuum of pregnancy and family support. They are designed to equip staff, volunteers, nurses, and caregivers with the knowledge, language, and practical skills needed to respond with confidence, compassion, and sensitivity in moments that matter most.

Evidence-Based Trauma-Informed Training

These on-demand trainings help pregnancy help organizations foster environments of safety, trust, and healing—empowering caregivers to meet women and families where they are, reduce re-traumatization, and walk alongside them toward healing and hope. Two trainings below offer CEUs and draw from current research, clinical best practices, and real-world scenarios to ensure learning translates directly into client care.

On-Demand

Each training is self-led, so you can watch them on your schedule.

100% Online

Complete each training from any device, anywhere in the world.

Discount Eligible

Heartbeat affiliates receive 20% off! Click the learn more button to see your discounted price.

Product Code 1279

Trauma-Informed Care for Pregnancy Help Organizations

This course is designed to equip staff and volunteers in pregnancy help centers, maternity homes, and related life-affirming ministries with practical tools for supporting women who have experienced trauma. The training explores how trauma, especially adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), can influence pregnancy, parenting, and overall well-being, while offering biblically grounded strategies for fostering healing and resilience. Students will learn the key principles of trauma-informed care as defined by SAMHSA, how trauma impacts brain development, stress response systems, pregnancy outcomes, and maternal-child bonding. Practical applications are reinforced through scenario-based learning and reflection questions. This course is ideal for individuals working in pregnancy help organizations who want to increase their effectiveness in walking alongside women with trauma histories. It is particularly helpful for caregivers seeking both evidence-based knowledge and faith-rooted approaches to serve with compassion.

$54.95

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Product Code 1138

Bad News Delivery by the Institute of Reproductive Grief Care

Gain practical tools and language that help you respond with confidence and compassion when patients face reproductive loss. Learn how you can transform moments of profound grief into opportunities for healing, support, and compassionate care.

Objectives:

- Distinguish communication approaches that facilitate emotional healing rather than intensify emotional pain in those enduring a miscarriage.
- Utilize the learned communicative strategies that help to counteract the emotional trauma that often accompanies a miscarriage.

$30.00

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1

CEU

Product Code 975

Prenatal Diagnosis and NICU Trauma: Educating the Medical Community About Its Real Effects in the Family

Education and awareness of the impact of our words and actions around a prenatal diagnosis and the diagnosis as it continues into the NICU are critical. The trauma reverberates through the entire family system, oftentimes with long-lasting and irreversible effects.

$14.95

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1.25

CEU

Product Code 99

Women's Mental Health After Abortion

A large and growing body of research using good methodology shows that abortion places women at increased risk of mental health problems. This workshop will give attendees/nurses an overview of what current research is showing, from PTSD and substance abuse to sexual dysfunction and relationship problems.

Objectives:

- Identify risk factors for post-abortion mental health problems
- Review PTSD diagnostic criteria and symptoms in post-abortive clients
- Summarize research on post-abortion PTSD and related client/partner impacts
- Outline basic nursing interventions and referral resources for post-abortive care

$29.95

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Product Code 805

Healing from Medication Abortion Trauma

Join Kylee Heap, COO of Support After Abortion, and Melissa Ohden, Founder and Director of Abortion Survivors Network, for a research-focused discussion of the impact of medication abortion on women - after completed abortions and after failed/stopped/reversed abortions, and how to meet their needs for healing. They will apply research findings to client care, language nuances, programming options, and marketing tips for concrete action steps in providing compassionate care, reducing barriers, and meeting people where they are to help them move past disenfranchised grief to find hope and healing.

$9.95

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Product Code 412

Housing: De-Escalation Strategies

In this webinar, Suzanne walks us through practical applications for de-escalation strategies in the trauma-informed home. Attendees will learn which components are needed for a resident to return to a place of “calm” in the unique environment of maternity housing.

$9.95

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More Resources on Trauma-Informed Care

Conference Recordings

• Trauma, Abortion & the African-American Client
• In It for Life
• Sustaining Compassion: Strategies for Managing Secondary Trauma and Self-Care

Manual

H.E.A.R.T (Healing the Effects of Abortion-Related Trauma) Manual

Resources for Maternity Homes

• Question: How much trauma is too much trauma? (article)
• Surviving Christmas: Healing Resident Trauma during the Holidays (webinar)

Podcasts

• Prenatal Diagnosis and Trauma Informed Care
• The Impact of Trauma on Women’s Sexual Wellness
• Trauma-Informed Care During the Christmas Season
• Walking with Families as a Parent Care Coordinator – Heidi Martin

by Andrea Trudden, Vice President of Communications and Marketing

Week 3 – Dec. 14-20: Joy (Gaudete Sunday)

This week, the third Sunday of Advent—Gaudete Sunday—invites us to rejoice. The word Gaudete itself means “Rejoice,” and it reminds us of the joy of our faith, the hope we carry during this season, and the joy that comes with the coming of Christ. The pink Shepherd’s Candle we light this Sunday reflects that joy, a light that shines even in the darkest nights. (Matthew 2:10-11)

From a biblical perspective, joy is more than a fleeting feeling or reaction to circumstances. It is a deep, abiding gladness rooted in God’s presence and promises. Scripture calls us to be instruments of God’s joy, bringing comfort, hope, and life to others. As we help mothers, fathers, and families experience the profound joy of life, that joy is reflected back into our own hearts. In serving others, we participate in God’s work, and the joy of giving and supporting life becomes a testimony of His love at work through us.

Working in the pregnancy help movement, you live out this joy every day. Through your compassion, service, and dedication, you create a place where women and families find hope when they face uncertainty. You stand as beacons of light in valleys of fear, offering more than guidance—you offer life, dignity, and a future.

Every conversation, every life you touch, every family you support ripples across generations. A mother encouraged to carry her child, a father empowered to protect and provide, a young woman guided to make a life-affirming choice—these are the moments where joy takes root. This joy is not fleeting; it is eternal, carried forward by the children whose lives you help nurture and the families whose hearts you touch.

This Advent, let us pause to rejoice in the immeasurable joy your work brings. In the small victories, the difficult conversations, and the moments of quiet care, you reflect the light of Christ to those who need it most. The joy of Advent is a reminder that even in a world full of challenges, life and hope prevail through your witness.

May this Gaudete Sunday renew your spirit, encourage your hearts, and remind you that the joy you bring today will echo in the generations to come. Rejoice! Christ is near, and your work is a living testament to His love.

by Jennifer Ellis, Academy Manager

In the second week of Advent, we light candles and turn our hearts and thoughts toward peace. The peace our hearts long for during Advent is the deep, abiding peace only Christ can bring into a world so often filled with fear and chaos. For those serving in pregnancy help, this peace is particularly significant. You encounter women and families daily who are in the midst of unexpected news, overwhelming voices, and seemingly impossible circumstances. Many feel afraid and alone in this world. In many ways, there is a parallel between what they are experiencing and what Jesus was born into, a world in need of the peace only He can provide.

Peace When Things Are Uncertain

The peace we talk about during Advent is not the absence of chaos. It is Christ and His presence in the midst of it. When that client walks through your door with her emotions—whether it’s anger, sadness, hurt, confusion, or more—your very presence with her can begin to bring calm in the midst of her storm. You provide a supportive environment where she can say what she needs to say…and be heard. 

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in You."
- Isaiah 26:3 NIV

These words have so much power when you apply them to sitting with a client who may feel as though her world is coming to an end. The perfect peace that comes from Christ alone does not mean you have every answer and resource she needs at that specific moment. Rather, it comes from trusting that Christ will provide what she needs and bring peace in the midst of the chaos, with you as His vessel. We have the opportunity to model the peace she so desperately needs as we trust in Him for His perfect peace and provision.

Becoming a Path to Peace

During the Advent season, we remember how peace entered the world through a humble young woman who faced a pregnancy she did not plan. Can you imagine how Mary must have felt, or the confusion and fear she must have experienced as a result of the angel’s message to her? Yet her response was the simple statement, full of faith and trust in the Lord, “...let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38 ESV)

You have the opportunity to bring the type of peace Mary exhibited into the lives of the women and families you meet with every day. You help them see the possibilities in their lives when they can’t see the big picture. You walk with them in prayer and with compassion, bringing a steady presence they otherwise may not have. You show them the way to peace through faith in the Lord.

Every counseling session, class, material assistance visit, or phone call is an opportunity to bring peace into her life. The calm in your voice, your patience as you listen, helping her know she is not alone, creates that path to peace she so desperately needs. 

The Multiplication of Peace

This week, it’s important to focus on not only offering peace but receiving it. Peace cannot multiply, spilling into the lives of those we serve, if we are not able to receive it ourselves. The work you do each day can take a toll on you emotionally and even physically. 

Let’s take some time to be refilled, resting in the presence of the Lord. Focus on this promise from the Lord as we meet with Him to be filled with His presence and peace.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
- John 14:27 (NIV) 

Emmanuel, God with us. He is with us on the days that are hard. He is with us in every moment, from praying before the clients walk through the door, to the time spent with each precious soul, and the moments afterward when we pray for her, the baby she is carrying, and what she is facing. When we are filled with the peace of Christ and pour that into the lives of our clients, then they can share that peace with their families and friends, multiplying the peace of Christ that leads to transformed lives. 

As you light the candle of peace this Advent, picture the women and families you served this year. Pray for His peace that surpasses all understanding to envelope them in the midst of their circumstances. 

Christ came into this chaotic world, bringing the promise of peace that will last through all eternity. You have the amazing privilege to bring that same message of peace to each soul you serve! May the peace of Christ rule in your hearts and minds as you continue to carry out this great calling.

by Michele Cheresnick, Affiliation Coordinator

Sometimes called the Prophecy Candle, the first candle of Advent reminds us of the hope Christ brings — a hope that carries us through uncertainty, darkness, and waiting. Advent is a time to pause, reflect, and prepare our hearts, focusing on God’s promises and the fulfillment we find in Jesus.

Hope isn’t just wishful thinking. It’s a deep, steady confidence in God’s faithfulness. The prophets spoke of a coming Messiah, a light for a world longing for redemption. Isaiah 9:2 says, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” That light is Christ Himself — whose birth we celebrate and whose return we await.

Through pregnancy help organizations, hope comes alive every day. Because of you, Christ’s light reaches communities around the world, offering practical help, spiritual guidance, and the assurance that no one walks alone. Just as the prophets pointed to the Savior, our work points people to the hope found in Him, showing that even in difficult circumstances, God is present and working for good.

Hope shapes the way we live and serve. It moves us to act with compassion, speak words of encouragement, and keep going even when challenges feel overwhelming. Every conversation with a mother in crisis, every moment supporting a father unsure of the future, every volunteer equipped — it’s all part of God’s larger story of redemption. Each life touched, each family strengthened, each person encouraged is a small beacon of hope shining in the world.

Advent is also a season of preparation. Lighting this first candle reminds us to ready our hearts to receive Christ anew. It’s a chance to reflect on our lives, our communities, and our ministries, and to ask God to guide us as we bring His hope to others.

In a world that often feels full of despair and uncertainty, the message of Advent is clear: God’s light has come, His promises are true, and hope endures. Let’s embrace that hope, not just for ourselves, but for the people we serve — sharing encouragement, practical help, and Christ’s love with women, men, and families everywhere.

Academy Suite of On-Demand Training on Prenatal Diagnosis Care

This collection of prenatal and perinatal support trainings equips pregnancy help staff and volunteers to compassionately serve families facing difficult prenatal diagnoses and unexpected outcomes. Covering informed consent, genetic counseling, NICU trauma, and hospice ethics, they offer life-affirming tools that foster understanding, empathy, and hope.

Life-Affirming Care for Every Prenatal Journey

Created by Heartbeat International in collaboration with Option Line, PrenatalDiagnosis.org brings together organizations, medical professionals, and advocates to equip and empower those walking with women and families facing a difficult prenatal diagnosis. It serves as a vital resource for promoting life-affirming, compassionate care and education during some of the most challenging moments of pregnancy.

On-Demand

Each training is self-led, so you can watch them on your schedule.

100% Online

Complete each training from any device, anywhere in the world.

Discount Eligible

Heartbeat affiliates receive 20% off! Click the learn more button to see your discounted price.

1

CEU

Product Code 1234

Supporting Parents with a Prenatal Diagnosis

Prenatal screening is offered to almost every pregnant woman, regardless of risk factors. Although you may not be the clinician delivering prenatal screening results, you still have the opportunity to speak life into whatever situation your client finds themselves in after receiving a prenatal diagnosis. You have the opportunity to provide support and information at that critical moment that can direct parents toward vital support and services. Join us to learn more about prenatal screening, prenatal diagnosis, challenges a client may experience with a prenatal diagnosis, and referrals available for clients who have received a prenatal diagnosis.

$35.94

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Product Code 709

Informed Consent Following a Prenatal Diagnosis

Parents are increasingly offered prenatal tests to screen for various prenatal conditions and subsequently offered abortion following a positive result. Ethicists broadly agree Informed Consent is critical in making medical decisions, yet parents often are not presented with the information they need to make an informed decision following a positive test result, which all too often leads to abortion.

$14.95

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1

CEU

Product Code 602

Unexpected Pregnancy Outcomes

Abnormal early ultrasound findings are now being used to justify elective abortions and so now, more than ever, it's important that prolife healthcare professionals be accurate in our understanding and communications about these conditions. Join us to learn more about ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage and molar pregnancies.

$12.95

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1

CEU

Product Code 1273

The ABCs of NIPT: Understanding Genetic Counseling in Prenatal Care

Join Caroline Aragón, MS, CGC, for a practical webinar exploring the essentials of genetic counseling and prenatal screening. You'll gain a clear understanding of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), how it works, what the results mean, and the clinical and emotional challenges families may encounter. This session will offer valuable insights for anyone supporting parents through a prenatal diagnosis.

$12.95

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Product Code 1071

When Perinatal Hospice Isn't Prolife

This workshop will introduce participants to the new national network of Parent Care Coordinators serving parents carrying to term following a prenatal diagnosis and the related first-of-its-kind prolife prenatal diagnosis website managed by Heartbeat International (prenataldiagnosis.org.) The limitations of perinatal hospice as a prolife response to prenatal diagnosis will be reviewed by way of published research.

$14.95

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1

CEU

Product Code 975

Prenatal Diagnosis and NICU Trauma: Educating the Medical Community About It's Real Effects in the Family

Education and awareness of the impact of our words and actions around a prenatal diagnosis and the diagnosis as it continues into the NICU is critical. The trauma reverberates through the entire family system, oftentimes with long lasting and irreversible effects.

$14.95

Learn More

More Resources on Prenatal Diagnosis Care

• Life Links: Diagnosis
• Prenatal Diagnosis & Trauma-Informed Care - Podcast
  
• Parents Facing Prenatal Diagnosis Have a New Support Resource - Article
• The Reality of a Prenatal Diagnosis and the Blessing Behind It - Article
  
• Processing Grief and Loss in the Workplace - 2025 Conference Recording
• Reproductive Loss Support: A Companioning Approach - 2025 Conference Recording
• Attending to Miscarriage: Is it Missional? - 2024 Conference Recording
• Walking with Families as a Parent Care Coordinator – Heidi Martin - Podcast
• Supporting Parents Facing a Prenatal Diagnosis – Shelley Hauter - Podcast
• Prenatal Diagnosis – Informed Consent - Podcast: Part 1 | Part 2
• Ministering to Parents Facing Prenatal Diagnosis - Podcast
• Informed consent "not happening" when abortion offered following prenatal diagnosis - PHN Article
• Pregnancy help groups step up to serve parents with prenatal diagnosis - PHN Article
• Ethical actions after a prenatal diagnosis - PHN Article
• With proper care, parents given prenatal diagnosis can honor the life of their child - PHN Article