TEXAS ALTERNATIVE TO ABORTION SERVICES PROGRAM

ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT

Provider Name: Pregnancy Help Center of Lufkin

Location Name: Pregnancy Help Center of Lufkin

Address: 401 Gaslight Blvd

Lufkin, TX 75904

Provider Executive Director: Paula Havard

Date of Annual Monitoring: January 31, 2018

Annual Monitoring Conducted By: TEXAS PREGNANCY CARE NETWORK

Hannah Hepfer,
Program Compliance Manager

Section A. Client Support Profile

Each Provider provides Texas Pregnancy Care Network with a sample Client Support Profile, which is a
story that demonstrates some of the work of the Texas Alternative to Abortion Services Program with
one particular client. The Client Support Profile is not an inclusive summary of all services that a client
receives from a Provider. All Client Support Profile stories are used with the written permission of the
client, and the client’s name is changed to protect the client’s identity.

The phone rang on a typical day at our pregnancy center. A young man frantically explained that he
needed to make an appointment for his wife to get an abortion. The receptionist gently informed him
that abortion services are not provided through us, but that we could help them by discussing their
options.

The receptionist felt the man had questions that were best suited for our nurse and asked if she could
please transfer his call to our Nurse Manager, who would handle them with great care and concern.
After obtaining information about potential gestation and other pertinent pregnancy questions, the
man stated that he did not believe the pregnancy was “ok.” There were several concerns that he did
not want to discuss over the phone so the nurse scheduled an appointment for the following day.

Joe and Kay came in for their appointment looking young and quite apprehensive. They had been
married less than a year and were not expecting to get pregnant so soon. They had many dreams and
aspirations planned before they started a family and were not confidently prepared for parenthood at
this time.

After the initial intake, the couple reported that Kay drank several alcoholic drinks one weekend before
they knew that she was pregnant. When she missed her period approximately one month later, their
concerns about the alcohol intake caused them to purchase and take “Plan B.” They reported that she
also took the “Plan B” about six months prior and while she had some spotting, she did not have a
period like she did before. The nurse explained how “Plan B” works and that it is not approved to use
multiple times as a form of birth control. The couple stated that they were unaware of the appropriate
use of this medication and the side effects.
Joe and Kay stated that they were very worried that the baby would not be healthy due to the alcohol
and using “Plan B” and that abortion felt like their only answer. The nurse was able to assess that they
knew nothing about abortion, the complications or potential effects. After a lengthy discussion about
potential problems of alcohol use in early pregnancy, the use of “Plan B” and abortion using the
“Women’s Right to Know” booklet, the couple seemed surprised at what they learned. The nurse asked
her standard question about when they believed life begins. While they stated that they never really
thought about it, Joe was able to answer that life began when the “baby was born” and Kay answered
“at conception.” The nurse discussed how these conflicting views between them needed to be explored
and discussed a little further before they made their decision as abortion is considered to be the end
of life for a baby.

The nurse asked how their culture and religion viewed ending the life of a baby. Both interjected, “Oh
no! That’s bad karma!” They had not thought of abortion this way. In light of the new found
knowledge of abortion versus the fear of potential problem with the pregnancy, the couple considered
that the potential pregnancy problems were minimal considering the alternative.

The couple was offered an ultrasound and they accepted. Unfortunately, the ultrasound was unable to
produce a clear picture or definitive heartbeat. It was explained that Kay may not be as far along as
believed but were advised to get into a doctor as soon as possible so that a physician could advise
them on the baby’s health. A list of local doctors was provided. In light of this information, the couple
vacillated between whether or not to look into abortion but agreed to a follow up appointment with us
for the next week and said that they would call the doctor.

The next week, Joe and Kay came into the center with a completely different appearance and
demeanor. They were beaming with joy. The couple had been to the doctor and had a good ultrasound
revealing the baby and a healthy heartbeat. The doctor had reassured them that everything looked
fine and they made the decision to keep the baby. They expressed their gratitude for our staff taking
the time to fully explain the abortion procedure, complications, fetal development and side effects and
for helping them to feel supported during their early pregnancy.

Their apprehensions at their first appointment were that we would either judge them for their situation
or shame them. Neither happened and instead they were loved, treated with dignity and respect, and
educated in such a way that they made a choice that was right for them. At this follow up
appointment, the nurse asked what decision they would have made if the doctor had not given them
good news regarding the health of their baby to which they responded that they still would have kept
the pregnancy. After discussing among themselves, they realized that abortion was not a right
decision for them.

Joe and Kay are excited to join our educational programs and to learn as much as they can to become
properly prepared for their baby. As of writing this story, they have returned several times for case
management appointments. We are eager to continue to watch them grow and mature and anticipate
more success as their story continues to unfold.

Section B. Facilities Tour

• Comments: The facilities, including exterior, client waiting areas, floor plan, safety features,
counseling rooms, storage rooms, and classrooms were in substantial compliance with
Program requirements.

• Discrepancies: None

• Corrective Action Recommended/Taken: None needed

Section C. Program Administration

• Comments: Program administration, including the storage of client records, storage of client
education materials, policies regarding background checks, locations of policy and procedure
manuals, separation of spiritual materials, and posting of confidentiality, grievance and non-
discrimination notices were in substantial compliance with Program requirements, except as
noted below.

• Discrepancies:
1. One or more Program notice(s) was not in substantial compliance with Program
requirements.
2. One or more procedures were not in substantial compliance with Program rules relating to
separation of spiritual activities/materials.

• Corrective Action Recommended/Taken:

1. Provider revised and verified that the Program notice(s) were in substantial
compliance with Program requirements.
2. One or more procedures were made in compliance with Program rules relating to the
separation of spiritual activities/materials.

Section D. Required Records

• Comments: Required program records, including floor plans, policies and procedures,
organizational charts, certifications, employee and/or volunteer manuals, and training
materials were made available and were in substantial compliance with Program requirements,
except as noted below.

• Discrepancies:
1. One or more Program policy(s) was not in substantial compliance with Program requirements.
2. One or more Program notice(s) was not in substantial compliance with Program requirements.

• Corrective Action Recommended/Taken:

1. Provider replaced the Program policy(s) with compliant one(s).
2. Provider replaced the Program notices(s) with compliant one(s).

Section E. Review of Reimbursement Requirements

• Comments: Texas Pregnancy Care Network reviews billing compliance on an ongoing basis
throughout the year. A report of client services that have been negated and recouped will be
included in the Quarterly Report for the 4th Quarter.

• Discrepancies: None

• Corrective Action Recommended/Taken: None Needed

Section F. Summary of Report and Provider Client Services

The annual monitoring of the Provider resulted in corrective actions listed for each discrepancy.

Pregnancy Help Center of Lufkin provides assistance, education, counseling and material goods to
pregnant women in need. They have been in operation for over 30 years and are known within the
area as a resource for men and women experiencing challenging pregnancy and parenting situations.
They encourage their clients in school to increase their attendance and grades and to consider college.
They assist clients in registering for community college and completing FAFSA forms. Their classes
cover a variety of topics, including pregnancy, budgeting, nutrition and decision-making.
 TEXAS ALTERNATIVE TO ABORTION SERVICES PROGRAM
ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT

SIGNATURE PAGE

Annual Monitoring Report Submitted By: TEXAS PREGNANCY CARE NETWORK

Signature of Program Compliance Manager:

Date: February 21, 2018

Signature of Executive Director:

Date: 4/10/18