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INDIANAPOLIS, IN, October 14, 2015 (LifeSiteNews) – Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has more than tripled the amount of state funding going to a pro-life organization that offers women alternatives to abortion.

Real Alternatives is a Pennsylvania-based group that aims to “actively promote childbirth instead of abortion.”

Pence gave the group Real Alternatives $1 million in October 2014, for one year. The program helped 8,452 people.

Now, Pence has expanded the funding to $3.5 million for a second year.

Indiana Right to Life praised the decision.

Real Alternatives will provide “services for counseling for breastfeeding, childcare, depression, drug abuse, grief, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, fetal development and more,” the group said. “Real Alternatives is a non-profit organization that works with local service providers to assist women during pregnancy and through 12 months after birth with counseling support and referrals to other social service resources.” the group said.

ABC6 in Indiana reports that the 40-page contract between the state and Real Alternatives explicitly says that funding expectations include a “pro-life mission” — and do not include funding for contraceptives, including referrals and advocacy.

“Real Alternatives offers life-affirming and compassionate care to women throughout pregnancy and as they begin their parenting journey,” said Mike Fichter, Indiana Right to Life's president and CEO. “We have seen positive results from one year of Real Alternatives in northern Indiana, and we look forward to seeing what the statewide impact of Real Alternatives will look like.”

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According to ABC, the funding will come from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

A spokesperson for the state's Democratic Party said that the contract “raises more questions about the Pence Administration's real agenda,” declaring that “Pence will put his ideology about healthcare ahead” of the well-being of his state's residents.

But Fichter said, “We thank Gov. Mike Pence for expanding Real Alternatives throughout the state.”