by Lori Kuykendall, MPH, President of Beacon Health Education Services

Optimal Health was originally defined in 2009 as "a dynamic balance of physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual health." Like-minded leaders in the previous presidential administration succeeded in having The Optimal Health Model published on the government’s website, and it is used widely in the Sexual Risk Avoidance field. Optimal Health concepts help serve clients with community education and prevention programs.

The definition of "optimal health" includes key concepts for helping people achieve the best outcomes in all five dimensions: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual. Read each of the three statements below carefully and see how applicable they are to serving clients.

1. "Health promotion is the art and science of helping people discover the synergies between their core passions and optimal health, enhancing their motivation to strive for optimal health, and supporting them in changing their lifestyle to move toward a state of optimal health."

What pregnancy help organizations (PHOs) do every day is both an “art and science” of prayerfully guiding clients toward optimal health, enhancing each person’s motivation, and providing positive support. We can help clients better understand their core needs and passions shaping their behavior (both helpful and harmful) and begin to take small steps toward choices that promote and protect their physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual health.

2. "Lifestyle change can be facilitated through a combination of learning experiences that enhance awareness, increase motivation, build skills, and most importantly, through the creation of opportunities that open access to environments that make positive health practices the easiest choice."

We have an incredible opportunity to provide personalized learning experiences that are both practical and inspirational, with the hopes of fostering a better environment for making better choices.

3. One other Optimal Health concept that gives direction and helps to set reasonable expectations for serving those coming to us in high-risk environments: Optimal Health "measures success by the degree of movement away from risk."

The target image with "high risk", "low risk" and "no risk" helps give perspective for where our clients are, and where we can hope to support them. It guides us in working together with them to set reasonable goals moving toward lower levels of risk, and ideally on to no risk. Some examples of this are questions like "Is not having sex an option for you?" or "What steps could you take to move away from this unhealthy relationship?" Depending on the client’s unique situation and your center’s services, you may be able to discuss STD testing or other services you offer. These "risk reduction" measures require wisdom and discernment but can help facilitate an ongoing relationship with the client with the continued goal of moving them to a no-risk environment.

Concerning community education and prevention programs, the Optimal Health Model allows an emphasis on “primary prevention” in sexual health education. We want to help those at no risk (as are most young people who haven’t been involved with sexual activity yet) to have the awareness and motivation that this is the best choice for their whole-person well-being. We give clear, positive messages that normalize avoiding sexual risk by avoiding sexual activity. Students who are engaged in at-risk behaviors are encouraged that a no-risk status is an achievable option that brings both short and long-term flourishment. The Optimal Health Model emphasizes all aspects of nonmarital sexual activity and its associated physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual risks while promoting the whole-person benefits to be realized in preserving all sexual activity for marriage.

The Optimal Health model is a strong tool for use both inside and outside the pregnancy center. It is future-facing and provides guidance and hope by encouraging all toward well-being and flourishment.

Christa Brown, BSN, RN, LAS

Senior Director of Medical Impact at Heartbeat International

Biography

Christa serves as the Senior Director of Medical Impact for Heartbeat International, offering support and training to medical clinic affiliates throughout the world. She also oversees the Abortion Pill Rescue® Network, a global initiative operating 24 hours a day, staffed with a dedicated nursing team and a network of more than 1,400 medical professionals, clinics, and hospitals. Through this network, thousands of lives have been saved in 86 different countries and all states of the U.S.

With over 25 years of dedication to the pregnancy help movement, serving as Executive Director in three pregnancy help clinics, Christa has empowered thousands to navigate challenging circumstances and choose life. Christa's advocacy for women and families worldwide has made a profound impact on women's health and the sanctity of life.

Andrea Trudden

Vice President of Communications and Marketing at Heartbeat International

Biography

Andrea oversees the public face of Heartbeat International and its network of more than 3,500 pregnancy help organizations worldwide as VP of Communications & Marketing. Beginning her professional career in radio while obtaining a degree in Journalism and Communications from The Ohio State University, she took the skills she received in speaking and writing and joined the noble cause of the pro-life movement. Andrea is one of the voices of Heartbeat featured in radio and television interviews, sharing the many ways that pregnancy help empowers women to make positive choices for themselves and their families. 

Andrea and her husband Dan have three precocious children who plan to change the world when they are grown.

Featured Articles

by Valerie Harkins, Director of Maternity Housing Coalition for Heartbeat International

As leaders in maternity housing, we often find ourselves giving so much of our time, energy, and love to our residents along with their own tiny residents (their children) in need. While this is a worthy and fulfilling calling, it can also take a toll on our well-being. Fatigue and feelings of isolation creep into our souls without our noticing while we are fast at work with our hands to the plow.

Take this note in your heart and tuck it away for a later date: God is faithful to provide His strength and His comfort in our time of need, but not necessarily an end to the difficulties or even the opposition pressing upon us. He is the miraculous God who does far beyond what our imaginations can even think to ask. While our souls may cry out for deliverance from the lion’s den, He is the wise God who instead gives peace that surpasses understanding while inside the den. How glorious and perfect, a solution that gently silences the powers of darkness at work around us that boast of their own strength while also creating a demonstration of His own nature before unbelievers. This creates an “altar moment” for all surrounding the den and watching you in the midst of a trial. It is an opportunity for all to be awed by Jesus, the One whom even the lions obey.

The life raft for your soul, is the deep remembrance that you are not alone. Never. God is always by your side, ready to provide strength and comfort. In Psalm 46:1 it says, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Lean on Him and seek His guidance in moments of weariness. He’s proven Himself over and over throughout the Bible, throughout global history, and throughout your very own life. 

A little practical support for you while you’re in the den:

• Avoiding burnout is essential for us to continue serving effectively. Make sure to carve out time for rest, relaxation, and movement.
• Prioritize tasks and delegate when possible.
• Set healthy boundaries: Remember that saying "no" to some things allows you to say "yes" to what truly matters.

It is crucial to take care of ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. Connect with other leaders in similar roles for support and advice.

Heartbeat Affiliates: If you haven’t already joined be sure to submit a request to join our private facebook group Maternity Housing Coalition - Affiliates Group. Remember, it's okay to ask for help when needed, or even just when it’s wanted. Every housing affiliate has access to a cost-free maternity housing consultation per month. Hop on the schedule here.

May you find renewed strength and encouragement in your journey as a maternity housing leader. Remember, you are making a difference in the lives of many. Keep shining your light bright!

Cindi Boston

Vice President of Mission Advancement at Heartbeat International

Biography

 A long-time leader in the pregnancy help community at the local, state, and national levels, Cindi Boston was named Heartbeat International’s Vice President in January 2016.

Cindi previously worked at the Cincinnati Crisis Pregnancy Center where she coordinated their maternity home program and support groups. Between 2013 and 2015 she served on Heartbeat International’s Board of Directors and was recognized as a 2011 Heartbeat International Servant-Leader honoree. She chaired the board of Missouri’s Alliance for Life and played a role in passing a state resolution honoring the work of pregnancy help organizations, as well as directing funds for specific services covered under Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

Featured Articles

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by Sara Dominguez, Affiliate Services Specialist at Heartbeat International

I am always amazed by the way the year falls into its fast-paced rhythm as soon as we shout, “Happy New Year!” And for this high-speed pace to follow the quiet Christmas season makes it all the more jarring. That’s why I’m always taken aback by how swiftly our calendars turn to Valentine’s Day. And so, here we are—in the month of love!

My favorite thing about Valentine’s Day is that it offers us the opportunity to reflect on the many avenues for love that the Lord offers us every day. From our parents who raised us up in love, to our siblings who reflect authentic love, our friends who lovingly build up our village, our colleagues who link arms with us in missions of love, our spouses whose promise of love fills our lives with joy, and our children who serve as a reminder of the true depths of love.

There is always more room for more love.

Valentine’s Day also reminds us that “we love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). What a miraculous reality that we can know true and lasting love. After all, the One who created us loved us first. And it is in this truth of love—deeply imprinted within our hearts—that we are moved to outstretch our arms to those who are thirsting for that same love. And, in this mission of love, we find ourselves united in our pursuit to offer pregnancy help to our communities.

One of Heartbeat International’s hallmark lessons in love can be found in The LOVE Approach which captures and communicates the essence of what it means to reach a woman in the "valley of decision" with the life-saving power of compassion and hope. The LOVE Approach teaches the principles of service in a life-affirming organization so that helpers feel more confident when they work with women in need. The LOVE Approach offers 4 Steps of LOVE that can equip and embolden pregnancy help organizations in their pursuit of serving their clients in love:

1. L – Listen and Learn
2. O – Open Options
3. V – Vision and Value
4. E – Extend and Empower

Through the LOVE Approach, we take time to engage clients in each of these four steps.

Listen and Learn

First, by listening and learning about our client—the mom in our maternity home or the father in our fatherhood program. We focus on their situation, offering our total attention, developing trust, and forming a relationship first.

Open Options

Only after forming the relationship should you begin to help the individual examine options in a factual, loving, and caring way.

Vision and Value

As life-affirming organizations, we offer an opportunity that sets us apart—highlighting the individual’s vision and value. Here you can introduce a new and fulfilling vision for the individual. You see paths the individual may have never considered or thought possible and you give the individual a new or reawakened vision of the fullness of life, emphasizing to them that they are worthy of this vision.

Extend and Empower

Only after you have taken the time to build a relationship with the individual by listening and learning, have opened options, and highlighted the individual’s vision and value will you be ready to extend a plan for the next steps and follow-up. This last step empowers the individual to embrace a life of authentic love.

It's not lost on me of this remarkable privilege we have as pregnancy help organizations to meet people in a moment of great need and to extend our hand as a source of support on their journey. And, in our outstretched hands, I am reminded of Christ’s hands, outstretched for every one of us. We are truly blessed to be known and chosen for the very Love that created us!

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Click here for a deeper dive into The LOVE Approach and discover more ways to put these four steps into practice—great for the whole team!

by Andrea Trudden, Vice President of Communications and Marketing at Heartbeat International

As we embark upon the sacred season of Lent, we find ourselves drawn into a period of reflection, repentance, and renewal. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of this journey, symbolized by the placing of ashes on our foreheads, a reminder of our mortality, and the call to turn our hearts back to God.

During Lent, many Christians engage in acts of self-denial and sacrifice, echoing the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ on the cross. In giving up something dear to us – be it sweets or social media – we strive to create space in our lives for prayer, introspection, and a deepened connection with God. This intentional sacrifice is a tangible expression of our commitment to remember and honor the tremendous sacrifice of Christ, who laid down His life for our redemption.

In this season of sacrifice, I am reminded of 1 Peter 2:21: "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." As we willingly let go of certain comforts or indulgences, we are reminded of the selflessness that characterized Christ's journey to the cross.

For those working on the noble mission of supporting women and protecting the unborn, your sacrifice takes on a profound meaning. In dedicating your time, efforts, and resources to serve mothers in need, you embody the biblical call to care for widows and orphans as James 1:27 teaches us.

Each moment spent in advocating, consulting, and providing practical assistance becomes a living testament to your commitment to God's work on earth. By choosing to be the hands and feet of Christ in this critical arena, you participate in the divine narrative of love, compassion, and protection for the most vulnerable among us.

As you navigate the challenges inherent in this mission, remember the words of David in Psalm 27:14: "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Your sacrifices and efforts are not in vain; they are sown in the fertile soil of God's purpose. Take heart, for in your commitment to protecting life, you are aligning yourself with the very heart of God.

May this Lenten season be a time of profound spiritual growth and a deepening of your connection with God. Your sacrifices, both big and small, are seen and appreciated by the One who sacrificed everything for us. Be encouraged by the knowledge that you are making a difference in the lives of the unborn and their mothers, fulfilling the call to love and serve with a sacrificial heart.