Summary
Earn While You Learn (EWYL) is an anti-abortion organization that creates and disseminates curricula to be used by anti-abortion centers (AACs). While AACs pretend that their “support” of pregnant people is pure and altruistic, their intentions and actions show otherwise. Rather than provide true, unconditional, and material support for pregnant people, many AACs require pregnant people to attend anti-abortion counseling and biased parenting courses to receive goods like diapers, baby food, and baby clothes. EWYL originated the concept of mandated counseling in exchange for support and now this tactic is used by hundreds of AACs nationwide.
Dinah Monahan founded EWYL in Arizona after her AAC was experiencing low turnout — Monahan claims they were handing out lots of free supplies but that parenting classes were not well attended. Monahan began tying the receipt of parenting and baby supplies to the attendance of the anti-abortion classes. Motivated by racist and classist assumptions, Monahan has said that she hopes this shifts “the paradigms for a generation that has grown up on handouts.” This statement is hypocritical, considering many of the AACs that utilize the EWYL curriculum receive government funding themselves.
The curriculum that EWYL has developed contains problematic, rigidly gendered, anti-abortion extremism rife with finger-wagging and medical disinformation. Subjects include Main Curriculum, Toddler, Parenting, Life Skills, Special Circumstances, Bible Study, Authentic Manhood, and Practical Fatherhood. The explicitly Christian curriculum “creates openings for the counselor to share Christ.” In doing so, EWYL pushes “God’s design for men,” which includes offering fathers support in the form of tools and sporting goods, rather than actual parenting supplies.
EWYL pushes its extremist agenda through its publishing partner, Heritage House ’76, a company run by Brandon Monahan, the son of Dinah and Mike Monahan. This keeps money flowing between the two businesses, allowing them both to profit from the harm they push nationwide. In 2013, EWYL filed to launch BrightCourse, a subscription-based video-streaming service of its curriculum, to modernize its anti-abortion reach and make it easier for AACs to use its biased programming. BrightCourse appears to have subsumed EWYL’s public presence, as EWYL’s website redirects to BrightCourse. BrightCourse is owned and operated by True to Life Productions, Inc., which produces its video content and is also operated by Brandon Monahan. EWYL claims to be used by over 700 AACs across the U.S., which would represent nearly 30 percent of all known AACs nationwide; Dinah Monahan has also claimed EWYL is used by as many as 2,000 AACs as well as internationally. EWYL and BrightCourse offer their anti-abortion curricula in both English and Spanish.
Influence
EWYL Launched BrightCourse, A Subscription-Based Platform For AACs To Administer Its Anti-Abortion Programming With Videos And Modules
To Modernize Its Approach And Expand Its Reach, EWYL Began To Offer Its Curriculum Through BrightCourse, A Subscription-Based Service Of Anti-Abortion Videos And Other Programming. “BrightCourse is a subscription-based video-streaming service for providers who want to help their clients learn about topics such as prenatal care, parenting, relationships, life skills, and more.” [BrightCourse, accessed 4/4/24]
Patronizing Content Is Written By BrightCourse And EWYL, Which Is Reviewed By Like-Minded Anti-Abortion Doctors. “The process of producing a BrightCourse lesson is long and complex. There are many creative considerations, but it all starts with research and study. This creates a fully documented outline that is then expanded into a script. This script is reviewed by multiple parties, including physicians and/or content specialists. Once changes have been added for additional accuracy and new research, the lesson is turned over for production.” [BrightCourse, accessed 4/4/24]
- BrightCourse Attempts To Boost Their Credibility By Bolstering Their Fact Sheets With Scientific Data… “Each lesson that is documented using the scientific data to create predictive recommendations has the ‘Evidence Based’ icon showing below the lesson image (like the icon shown at the left) on the lesson list page. The majority of our lessons are documented in this way. The remaining lessons (without this icon) are built on experience and values, but they may be lacking the documentation and research in the creation process. All TTL-produced videos are reviewed by a physician (or appropriate expert) whether or not they have the evidence-based icon.” [BrightCourse, accessed 4/4/24]
- …And Citing Major Medical Bodies Like The American College of Gynecologists (ACOG). [BrightCourse, accessed 4/4/24]
BrightCourse Videos Are Produced By True To Life Productions, Which Is Operated By Brandon Monahan, Son Of The Founders Of EWYL And Heritage House ’76. “True to Life Productions exists to produces educational videos that make a difference in the lives of mothers, fathers, and their children. Relatable content built around professional scripts produces results in the lives of the viewers beyond other standard videos. Using documented and reputable sources, each lesson gives practical study-based insights for the viewer to take and apply. The results are fun yet powerful presentations that reach future generations in a format they expect.” [True to Life Productions, accessed 4/4/24]
BrightCourse Offers Biased, Scolding, And Patronizing Modules On Abortion Care. “The Whole Sex Talk: Pregnancy and Abortion (LL-0122) […] LESSON CONTAINS HONEST AND DESCRIPTIVE TESTIMONIALS PERTAINING TO PREGNANCY, ABORTION, ABORTION PROCEDURES, AND SUBSEQUENT EMOTIONAL CONSEQUENCES. Be sensitive to individuals as DEEP WOUNDS MAY SURFACE. This session offers a look at an honest and tough series of testimonials, thought-provoking facts, and critical reality checks. Healing encouragement included!” [BrightCourse, accessed 5/24/24]
BrightCourse Materials Rely On Emotionally Manipulative Language To Address People Who Have Had An Abortion. “You are hurting. Maybe it’s a vague ache deep inside. Or maybe your abortion left you emotionally drained and distraught. You are not alone. Many women are suffering as you are, yet some of us have been able to work through our heartache. Deeply buried emotions may erupt when you are the most vulnerable. The exact way you experience grief over the loss of your child will be unique to you. The point of crisis occurs most often between 2 and 5 years after the abortion. Yet, for some, the crisis is immediate, ‘I made the choice, but as soon as I had the abortion I suddenly just felt like an instant regret.’. And for some it occurs 20 or 30 years later.” [BrightCourse, accessed 4/4/24]
BrightCourse Materials Falsely Link Abortion Care To Adverse Mental Health Outcomes… [BrightCourse, accessed 4/4/24]
…Despite Academic Studies Showing That The Lack Of Access To Wanted Abortion Care May Cause Many Different Types Of Harm. [ANSIRH, accessed 4/16/24]
BrightCourse Materials Rely On Biblical Text To Assert EWYL’s Religiously Based Opposition To Abortion Care And Subject Clients Of Faith To Guilt And Shame. “Many women have said that they feel unworthy of God’s forgiveness. They feel that they are under God’s judgment. […] God is not angry. He knows all about your mistake. His Son, Jesus, has already given His life to pay for your sin and guilt. God stands with His arms outstretched, longing to soothe your hurting heart and heal your wounds.” [BrightCourse, accessed 4/4/24]
In A Module Pack Titled “Post Abortion Healing,” BrightCourse Spreads Medical Disinformation About Abortion Care. “Abortion, while extremely common and legal in our country today, leaves scars and wounds, some physical, some emotional, and some psychological. Even the person that seems unscathed bears the hurts and wounds from this choice.” [BrightCourse, accessed 4/4/24]
BrightCourse Offers Patronizing Dating Advice, In What Can Only Be Perceived As A Warped Attempt To Satisfy Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF) Requirements To “Encourage The Formation Of Two-Parent Homes.”
[BrightCourse, accessed 4/4/24]
BrightCourse Scolds Participants Against Divorce Due To Potential Financial Impacts. “The financial impact is probably one of the most devastating parts of a divorce. Nobody tells you how long it could take, how much it’s gonna cost, or how long it will take for your life to be able to come back to some kind of normalcy. Child support is not going to make your life wonderful. Divorce is really devastating not just emotionally but it can also be financially.” [BrightCourse, accessed 5/24/24]
BrightCourse Materials Amplify Anti-Abortion Rhetoric Such As Anti-Abortion Conservative William Bennett’s The Broken Hearth: Reversing the Moral Collapse of the American Family… [BrightCourse, accessed 4/4/24]
…And Medical Disinformation From The Group Support After Abortion. [The Word Among Us Partners & Support After Abortion, 2020]
EWYL’s BrightCourse Integrated With WayCool’s CoolFocus, An AAC Software That Is Not Subject To The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Of 1996
Email Obtained By Equity Forward Shows BrightCourse Integrated With WayCool’s CoolFocus Software In April 2024.
[support@brightcourse.com email obtained by Equity Forward, 4/16/24]
CoolFocus Describes Itself As An All-In-One Software. “CoolFocus by WayCool includes Client, Donor, and Volunteer Management all in one easy-to-use solution! Managing your non-profit has never been this simple!” [WayCool, accessed 5/1/24]
In An Effort To Collect Data On As Many People As Possible, CoolFocus Allows AACs To Enter Data On Any Device With An Internet Connection. “CoolFocus provides data in real-time that can be accessed on your PC, Mac, or iPad anywhere you have an internet connection. This allows data entry to be recorded whenever or wherever connections are made, and opportunities present themselves.” [WayCool, accessed 5/1/24]
CoolFocus’ Client Management Features Are Already Integrated With AAC Giant Care Net, Focus On The Family, And Save The Mother, Save Her Child (SMSC) From Evantell. “CoolFocus provides full Client Management tools for your Pregnancy Center. With Care Net, Focus on the Family, SMSC, and other reports built-in, reporting your success has never been easier!” [WayCool, accessed 5/1/24]
BrightCourse Is Also Working To Integrate With eKYROS’ CenterPiece Software, Another AAC All-In-One Management System Not Formally Regulated By HIPAA.
[support@brightcourse.com email obtained by Equity Forward, 5/8/24]
eKYROS’ CenterPiece Includes Client Management Software… “Client Management: track client services, charted medical forms, pregnancy outcomes, group classes, upload scans/docs, medical director sign-off on ultrasounds, and reporting/analytics.” [eKYROS, accessed 5/17/24]
…Which Includes A Feature To Track People’s “Abortion-Vulnerability.” “The At Risk Timeline tab provides users with a snapshot of the client’s abortion-vulnerability on one, easy to read page. This graphical view allows you to see the client’s assessment during each stage of her journey, so you can easily assess changes over time.” [eKYROS, accessed 5/17/24]
A Screenshot From The CenterPiece Interface Indicates The Software Is Surveilling Who Is Having – Or Considering Having – Abortions With Its “At Risk Timeline.”
Because Most AACs Are Not Licensed Medical Providers, They Are Not Governed By HIPAA… “Despite looking like legitimate clinics, most CPCs are not licensed, and their staff are not licensed medical professionals. CPCs that are not licensed medical clinics cannot legally be held to the privacy provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which could lead to violations of client privacy.” [AMA Journal of Ethics, 3/2018]
…Despite Handling The Same Categories Of Personal Data Categorized As “Protected Health Information” Under Federal Law. [Equity Forward, 11/2021]
BrightCourse Features A HIPAA Seal Of Compliance From VanRein Compliance.
[BrightCourse, accessed 9/24/24]
WayCool’s Website Also Features A Partnership With VanRein Compliance.
HIPAA Seals Of Compliance, Such As These Are Not Conferred By The U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services And Are In-Name Only. “‘HIPAA Compliance Verification’ is a term used by training providers to indicate an individual or organization has undergone and passed a course in HIPAA compliance. After passing the course in HIPAA compliance, the successful individual or organization is allowed to display the training [provider’s] ‘Certificate’ or ‘Seal of Approval’ on their website and other documentation – such as a résumé. The term ‘HIPAA Compliance Verification’ is often interchanged with ‘HIPAA Certification’ or ‘HIPAA Certified’. None of the three terms are recognized by the Department of Health & Human Services, who state on its website: ‘There is no HIPAA Certification process, and no company has the authority to certify HIPAA compliance. Such certifications do not absolve Covered Entities of their legal obligations.’” [HIPAA Journal, accessed 5/24/24]
Public Dollars Have Been Used By AACs To Purchase EWYL Curriculum
Equity Forward Partner Progress Florida Obtained Records Showing That Florida Pregnancy Care Network (Florida’s A2A Program Administrator) Used “Several Years [Of] State Funds” To Purchase EWYL Curriculum.
[Public Records obtained by Equity Forward’s partner Progress Florida and used here with permission, c. 2018-2019]
Carolina Pregnancy Care Fellowship, A Contractor Of North Carolina’s A2A Program, Has Directed Federal And State Funds Toward the EWYL Curriculum Through Its Subcontractors. “For the past several years, the North Carolina state legislature has directed a portion of its federal Maternal and Child Health block grant to the Carolina Pregnancy Care Fellowship (CPCF), an umbrella group of anti-choice centers; that allotment is $400,000 annually for the current fiscal year and next. Records show anti-choice centers subcontracted by CPCF have, since at least the 2015 budget year, used a portion of these funds to buy Earn While You Learn (EWYL) materials and incentives for those who complete them, with plans to buy more next year. The documents also reveal that centers, with approval from state regulators, purchased religious materials with federal funds, including DVDs intended to help men ‘discover authentic manhood as modeled by Jesus Christ.’” [Rewire News, 4/26/18]
An Indiana AAC Spent Federal Dollars It Received For An Infant Mortality Initiative On A Five-Year BrightCourse Subscription. “Since the Wabash Valley C.P.C.’s founding, thirty-one years ago, its annual budget has increased from twenty-one thousand dollars to four hundred and seventy thousand dollars. Most of this has come from donations from individuals and churches, but last spring it was awarded seventy-six thousand seven hundred dollars as part of a $4.5 million federal program called the West Central Indiana Healthy Start initiative; the program aims to combat Indiana’s infant-mortality rate, which is the seventh highest in the country. The C.P.C. has spent the funds on a five-year subscription to a curriculum designed by BrightCourse, a video-streaming service often used by such centers, and on the part-time salary of a teacher for parenting classes. It also used the grant to buy the portable ultrasound machine, for thirty-eight thousand dollars, and to pay the part-time salary of Mary Hargis, the sonographer.” [The New Yorker, 11/11/19]
Under Its Former “Positive Alternatives” A2A Program, Minnesota Spent Tax Dollars To Purchase EWYL/BrightCourse Curricula.
[Public Records obtained by Equity Forward, received 7/7/23]
Financial
EWYL Shares A Physical Address With Heritage House ‘76, Another Business Operated By The Monahans.
EWYL Shares A Physical Address With Heritage House ‘76, Another Business Operated By The Monahans.
BrightCourse, EWYL’s Streaming Service For Its Curriculum, Was Incorporated In Arizona As An LLC On July 8, 2013.
BrightCourse, EWYL’s Streaming Service For Its Curriculum, Was Incorporated In Arizona As An LLC On July 8, 2013.
True To Life Productions, Which Produces EWYL’s BrightCourse Content, Was Incorporated In Arizona On May 27, 2016, With Brandon Monahan As Its CEO, Director, And Chairman Of The Board.
True To Life Productions, Which Produces EWYL’s BrightCourse Content, Was Incorporated In Arizona On May 27, 2016, With Brandon Monahan As Its CEO, Director, And Chairman Of The Board.
