Programs

  • Program 1 [2020]

    2020: AN OVERVIEW2020 was a unique and challenging year for Viable Options, as it was for many others throughout the region, nation, and beyond. For our organization, the primary challenge lay in the reality that our work depends on engaging and connecting with people-something that the arrival of COVID-19 and the subsequent restrictions made very difficult. This required us to significantly pivot our operations in order to effectively serve our community during an unprecedented time.However, though the landscape within our community shifted materially during 2020-changing with it the available avenues for reaching individuals-the need for our services did not change. We exist to restore ownership to those facing a pregnancy decision by alleviating the obstacles and pressures in their lives that so often cause them to feel a lack of confidence and control. During a season in which isolation, loneliness, financial need, and disconnect from core community became ubiquitous, the need for relational care and support grew all the more urgent.Another primary purpose and function of our organization is to educate our community on the issues of unintended pregnancy and to unify both individuals and organizations behind a holistic response to pregnancy care. So, as the North Country grappled with the effects of a state-wide shutdown, we sought both to maintain an awareness of the needs that would be faced by women and men in our community and to offer support to those working to provide care and service.Remaining faithful to our mission and vision while also navigating a world of uncertainty and unprecedented changes created significant challenges; but it also provided a new perspective and clarity regarding our role within our local community and how we could uniquely add to its health and vitality.LAUNCH OF DIGITAL SERVICESIn an effort to reach those facing a pregnancy decision amidst such unprecedented challenges, we implemented and launched digital services during the New York State shutdown, allowing women and men walking through the decision process the opportunity to receive care via phone or computer.These offerings remained active and in place once we were free to resume onsite care, as we realized that public travel and in-person contact could remain a barrier for those in our county who were medically vulnerable. In addition to mitigating these barriers, our digital offerings also enabled us to reach those in our county who were unable to obtain transportation-creating access to care that did not exist prior to the events of 2020. UPDATE OF INTAKE PROCESSESThe shift to digital offerings necessitated a streamlining and digitization of our intake processes, in order to make the process as seamless as possible for those obtaining services remotely (via phone or computer). This required an in-depth review and revision of our intake form, as well as formulating a system with which our client advocates could most effectively serve individuals by digital means while maintaining as personal and focused an environment as possible.These revisions not only made the onramp for care more effective, but they also made it accessible to those in any location, increasing both our bandwidth and our ability to reach those we exist to serve.MAILING TO PARTNERING AGENCIESWe are committed to our local community and passionate about investing in its health. As we recognized the challenges being faced by our fellow organizations throughout the county, we sought to find innovative ways to strengthen them in their service.In the summer of 2020, we sent a letter to more than 80 partnering agencies throughout the area, updating them on our response to COVID-19, offering our support to them in their mission, and sharing practical insights into the likely effects of the changed climate on those facing a pregnancy decision and how to best meet their needs.This included all of our recently updated literature along with a letter, which explored and addressed many of the potential challenges that service organizations would be likely to face in the wake of COVID-19. As our county and nation experienced a major economic and social upheaval, we knew that this would almost certainly be met with an increase in demand on agencies offering direct service.Foreseeing the likelihood of some level of increase in the number and complexity of unintended pregnancies as a result of the social and economic turbulence of 2020, we were eager to equip our partnering agencies to identify those in need of our services and make effective referrals.REVISION OF CORE LITERATUREDuring New York State's mandated closure, as many of our planned operations were not possible (i.e., onsite services, networking, campus outreach, training, etc.) we took the opportunity to do a detailed revision of all our literature, vocabulary, and messaging.Viable Options occupies a unique space within the world of pregnancy care; and this necessitates great clarity in our language and marketing. The intended goal of the revisions was to clearly communicate our services and approach to two different audiences-the professional service community and individuals within St. Lawrence County who were either facing a pregnancy decision themselves or supporting someone who was.As a means of strengthening referral avenues within the social service community, we did a complete redesign of our Client Profile, which breaks down for fellow agencies the type of client Viable Options exists to serve, how to quickly identify them, and the services we offer. To accompany this, we created a Client Care Model, which summarizes each aspect of our services, how they are implemented, and the progression by which we seek solutions for clients' needs.In an effort to better reach our local community, we also did a complete redesign of our brochures and info cards-updating the language and content to fully capture our approach to pregnancy care and the resources we provide to those facing a pregnancy decision.UPDATE OF WEBSITE CONTENTIn light of the many updates we made to our language in the early months of 2020, we took some time to completely revamp our website. The updated flow and content not only reflects our new messaging but also provides a smooth and accessible summary of who we are and what we do-allowing our users to more quickly and easily locate the information most relevant to their needs.SUCCESSFUL TRADEMARK OF BRAND ASSETSDue to fundraising efforts in 2019, we were able to finalize trademark applications for our name, tagline, and logo in 2020. These assets are now officially trademarked by Viable Options, enabling us to guard the integrity of our brand and ensure the longevity of our corporate messaging.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $0

  • Program 2 [2020]

    (Continued from Statement One)FORMULATION OF ADOPTION NAVIGATION SERVICEAt the end of 2019, we began the process of creating and formalizing Adoption Navigation and Support as an official service of Viable Options. The impetus for creating this service was a client whom we had the privilege of serving and advocating for throughout her pregnancy and adoption placement. It became clear to us as we cared for her that this type of advocacy was not easily accessible to those facing a pregnancy decision and considering adoption.From assisting our client in securing legal representation to ensuring that the hospital plan was customized to her wishes and handling mediation with the hospital staff and adoptive parents throughout the process, we worked continually to ensure that she remained in control and confident in her decision.In the early months of 2020, our client successfully placed for adoption. Throughout this process and directly following it, Adoption Navigation and Support was further refined and solidified as a service of Viable Options. The final months of the process in particular brought further clarity in 2020, as we established processes by which to collaborate with the professional medical community and ensure that our client's wishes were continually honored by all parties.Though this service lies outside of the general time frame in which we exist to serve-the period of time between the discovery of an unintended pregnancy and the moment a decision is made-it aligns with our ultimate goal: to restore ownership and confidence to those facing a pregnancy decision.The adoption process can be overwhelming. For women facing a pregnancy decision and considering adoption, there is a great need for ongoing relational support that is focused on their needs and allows them to maintain ownership, control, and confidence as they explore and pursue an adoption placement-without the fear of being pressured or manipulated towards a specific outcome.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $0

  • Empowering Women Through Pregnancy Support

    SHIFTING TO A MOBILE MODELThe goal of Viable Options is to empower women, their partners, and their families to make confident pregnancy decisions by connecting them to tangible solutions and community support. The strategy for accomplishing this is two-pronged--direct service to individuals and community action.In order to best implement and educate our region on both these strategies, it was necessary to do a total rebuild of the Viable Options website--speaking to both audiences clearly and concisely and delivering the resources each needs most. The new site was launched in October of 2023.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $0