First Steps, our Pregnancy and Maternal Health program, is made up of two primary components: Real Alternatives and Healthy Beginnings Plus (HBP).

Real Alternatives to Abortion (aka Project WIN) is a state funded program whose goal is to help women who think they may be pregnant or who are pregnant to receive counseling and material assistance from the time of conception up until the child is 12 months old. Through counseling, parents are able to discuss their situation and receive the help they need to make good decisions. They also are assisted in obtaining items such as maternity and baby clothing, diapers, furniture and food.

Healthy Beginnings Plus is a state and federally funded program for pregnant women who are insured by medical assistance. The goal of this program is to provide the healthiest and most positive experience for a mother to begin a new life with her baby. Counseling and social services are offered both in physicians’ offices and through home visitation. Our HBP staff work as a team with medical personnel, including doctors, nurses and nutritionists.

Some of the services provided at Healthy Beginnings Plus include:
Prenatal medical visits with an on-site physician
Highly qualified and experienced nursing staff
Social workers available for on-site and home visits
Nutritional counseling by a registered dietitian
On-site laboratory
Drug and alcohol abuse counseling
Smoking cessation assistance
Pre-natal education classes
Assistance in applying for Medical Assistance benefits

  for those less fortunate with the necessities
  of life — food, shelter and clothing.

  residents of Northeast PA with essential
  humanitarian programs.

  issues of fear, hatred and prejudice through
  the teachings of Christ and the social
  doctrine of the Catholic Church.