Parents in an East San Jose school district are speaking out about plans to hire a controversial healthcare provider to teach students relationship skills.
At a special meeting Tuesday, the Alum Rock Union School District board of trustees is set to vote on a two-year contract with RealOptions Obria to help give sixth grade students the skills to build healthy relationships and strengthen character. The company runs a chain of crisis pregnancy centers in Northern California that provide life-affirming reproductive healthcare — and is included in a lawsuit from the state for providing false information.
Veronica Amador, a parent and community leader in the district, said it’s important that parents are involved in decisions affecting their children, especially with health related topics. The district put the contract approval with RealOptions on the consent calendar, where multiple items are approved without discussion in a single vote. Amador said that’s a red flag as the school is transitioning between superintendents.
Amador said she went to a RealOptions clinic as a pregnant teenager — and from its name expected to be provided with options.
“They were like, ‘There’s no option. How could you not give birth to this child? Your option is to become a mom. And this is what God wants you to do,'” she told San José Spotlight. “As a teen looking for options … I was never given that opportunity. I don’t want anybody to be put in the position where they’re not given all of the information to make the best decisions for themselves and their health.”
Representatives for RealOptions did not respond to a request for comment.
Trustee Corina Herrera-Loera said she intends to request the contract be pulled from the consent calendar so the board can discuss the proposed partnership rather than approve it without deliberation. Herrera-Loera said she plans to vote against approving the contract.
“As an elected trustee, I believe our district has a responsibility to partner with organizations that provide evidence-based, medically accurate and inclusive services that meet the needs of all students and families,” she told San José Spotlight. “This proposal deserves a transparent public discussion.”
Herrera-Loera is concerned RealOptions is involved in litigation alleging it provided misleading information to individuals regarding reproductive healthcare. In September 2023, the California Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Heartbeat International, a national anti-abortion group, and RealOptions Obria. The ongoing lawsuit alleges they used fraudulent and misleading claims to advertise abortion pill reversal.
“While those allegations have not been adjudicated, I do not believe it is appropriate for our district to enter into a partnership with an organization facing such serious claims,” Herrera-Loera said. “Our students and families deserve trusted community partners whose mission and practices reflect our district’s commitment to student well-being, equity and access to accurate health information.”
Some community members are questioning why Alum Rock Union School District is considering working with RealOptions when there are local groups that could carry out the same work for students.
Victor Vasquez, co-executive director of SOMOS Mayfair, said organizations such as Next Door Solutions, YWCA or the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, which have done work around violence prevention and positive relationships, would be better choices to teach these topics in schools.
“Given (RealOptions is) under a state investigation, and this district is already going through a lot of legal issues, it’s not the best provider to bring on at this time,” Vasquez told San José Spotlight.
He said district leaders should vote against approving the contract, and that it’s the responsibility of community advocates to have their eyes on these kinds of issues.
“There are better organizations that are also neutral on certain issues, that can provide services,” he said. “If we’re dealing with unhealthy relationships and those topics are coming up, they can provide wraparound services for students.”
The Alum Rock Union School District meets Tuesday at 6 p.m. at 2930 Gay Ave. in San Jose.
This story will be updated.
Contact Lorraine Gabbert at [email protected].
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