Answering the call to help has been a hallmark of the pregnancy help movement for more than half a century. Even before pregnancy centers existed, champions for life answered hotlines and home phones around the clock to help women facing an unplanned pregnancy.
Telehealth abortions now account for 1 in 5 abortions in the U.S., with over 70 websites offering direct delivery of abortion drugs to women’s homes. This shift challenges the traditional brick-and-mortar model of pregnancy help organizations (PHOs), which play a vital role in providing alternatives to abortion. The growing ease of access to abortion drugs online has prompted a strategic pivot—some PHOs are extending office hours and beginning to offer telecare services for initial consultations. We see a timely opportunity to partner with you to make alternatives to abortion more accessible than ever as women increasingly turn to telecare solutions.
At Option Line, we understand the importance of quickly connecting clients with local pregnancy help. Each month we warmly transfer thousands of callers to organizations like yours during regular business hours. After hours, Option Line continues to answer calls and schedule thousands of appointments each year. But we believe we can do more—together—to support today’s abortion-minded clients. That’s why we’re excited to launch Heartbeat International’s High Risk Response Network (HRRN).
What is the High Risk Response Network (HRRN)?
HRRN is a new partnership opportunity between Option Line and local pregnancy help organizations (PHOs) ready to provide telecare services for initial consultation. This network enables Heartbeat-affiliated PHOs to offer consultations to abortion-minded clients over the phone—even during hours when your physical office is closed.
Option Line will screen callers for pregnancy intention and ensure only high-risk clients are directed to your telecare services (other callers can still be scheduled for in-person visits). We will then warmly transfer the client to a dedicated phone number during your specified hours, giving you the opportunity to establish a relationship with the client right away.
As we work with affiliates in this initiative, Option Line will track network statistics such as qualified leads, effectiveness rates, and hours of availability. Participating organizations will be asked to provide quarterly outcome statistics (including conversions from virtual to in-person visits and pregnancy intentions). All compiled statistics will be available exclusively to participating PHOs.
How is HRRN different from how Option Line already works?
HRRN allows Option Line to connect abortion-minded/determined clients with your PHO instantly for a telecare initial consultation with your staff—rather than scheduling in-person visits that may occur a day or two later. While Option Line consultants are trained to offer limited consultations, the most valuable service we can provide is a direct connection to you. Time is of the essence—she has abortion at her fingertips—and we want to ensure she reaches you first.
Option Line will screen to ensure only high-risk clients are connected to you after hours, and will continue to facilitate scheduling of in-person visits for lower-risk clients. HRRN offers the opportunity to expand your radius of service within your region or statewide (if you choose) and reserves your after-hours telecare for high-risk clients. We hope to identify at least one partnering organization per state for this important initiative.
What are the requirements to participate?
- PHO staff or volunteers supporting HRRN should be adequately trained to serve clients in a virtual setting. (The Heartbeat Academy is a great place to start! Telecare Toolkit & Preparing to Offer Telecare)
- Offer a minimum of 4 hours of virtual availability per week outside of standard 9am–5pm business hours, in minimum 2-hour blocks.
- Provide a dedicated HRRN phone number (or set up internal call forwarding if multiple staff support the line).
- Submit a consistent, weekly HRRN schedule upon registration.
- Report quarterly statistics as outlined.
There is no cost to participate!
How do I sign up?
To get started, please complete the registration form and provide the information below:
- Name of your center
- Primary contact person and email address
- Dedicated HRRN phone number
- Your HRRN hours of availability
- Whether you are open to receiving calls statewide or just in your immediate area
Not ready to sign up—want to learn more?
Heartbeat’s Academy offers valuable resources for PHOs launching telecare services. Helpful training programs include:
And don’t worry—if you aren’t ready to sign up yet, Option Line is available 24/7 to serve as a bridge to your center and support appointment scheduling. For more information about HRRN or Option Line, please reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
