Award Amount: $50,000
Ministry Mission Statement: The Next STEPP Life Center mission is to provide life-affirming solutions as well as physical, emotional and spiritual support to women, men and families facing unintended pregnancy and related challenges as we promote a culture of life in the community.
Purpose of Grant: To convert the Next STEPP Life Center to a Medical Clinic which would position Next STEPP to more effectively reach and impact the lives of abortion vulnerable women and men in Pinellas County in making a positive life choice. Conversion would also allow free STI testing, effecting early detection and improving birth outcomes. Grant would include upgrading existing ultrasound equipment vital to opening a window to the womb for mothers and fathers.
Update from The Next Stepp Center, October 2017
Implementation for the conversion from a pregnancy resource center to a medical model clinic for the saving of many lives, both physically and spiritually, is on target for the first 6 months. This includes establishing the conversion team, training the board and current staff, and writing the policies and procedures. The ultrasound machine has been inspected and serviced, and new probes and a compatible printer have been purchased. The cost for the ultrasound machine maintenance and parts upgrade was $3600. The conversion pre-assessment has been completed and approved. The NIFLA Conversion package is $9,5000 and the Pre-Assessment is $100.The TLC program has been purchased. A formal conversion committee has been established and is in the process of completing both a legal audit and an organizational audit. In addition, recruitment efforts for a nurse manager and for a medical director have begun.
Update from The Next Stepp Center, March 2018
The Executive Director, the prospective nurse sonographer, and the board have completed their training and the NILA audits have been completed and implemented. Our new Conversion Team Coordinator is responsible for keeping the plan on target. A partial salary of $900 for a part-time nurse manager has been expended to date. An office at our current location has been converted to an efficient medical exam room at a cost of $3950. The cost of supplies (software and initial STI testing supplies) has been $1365 so far. For technology equipment, $1300 has been spent for computer hardware for the medical office and a monitor for ultrasound viewing. For training expenses and travel related to training, $3130 has been expended to date. This brings the total spending so far to $22,845.00. The additional grant funds will be expended for training and travel expenses, insurance and licenses, additional ultrasound equipment, supplies, and salaries. Some of these expenses won’t be incurred until a medical director is in place. The 100 Shares Grant is enabling The Next Stepp ministry to move to the next level of life saving and life changing ministry by becoming a Pregnancy Medical Clinic.