What does Family Planning mean to most people? Basically, it's about when to have children-women and men choosing the timing and spacing of their pregnancies. And for some, it is choosing not to have a baby, and using some form of birth control to prevent pregnancy.

Family planning helps women and men be successful--stay in school, have a better chance for employment, achieve financial security, and have healthier babies.

Children who are born of wanted pregnancies are more likely to be breast-fed as infants, have families who are better able to support their growth and development, and are less likely to be poor. Thus family planning results in a stronger and more prosperous society, as well as a more nurturing environment for children. That is why federal, state, and local governments make family planning services available and affordable, especially for those who have low income and don't have health insurance.

Coos County Public Health provides the Federal Title X Family Planning Program. Services are confidential for all ages, and are provided on a sliding scale, based on income and ability to pay. A Spanish language interpreter can be requested, if needed. Many women and teenagers in Coos County qualify for the Family Planning Expansion Project (FPEP), which are available at Coos County Public Health, the Waterfall Community Health Center and the School Based Health Center at the Harding Learning Center. FPEP provides free examinations and birth control for those needing it who do not have health insurance and also earn less than 185% of the poverty level; that is about $20,000for one person, or about $40,000 for a family of four.

Teens are determined eligible based on their individual income. Proof of citizenship(i.e., a birth certificate and ID) is required to be eligible for FPEP, but not for the Title X Family Planning Program. In 2007, 2,052 clients we reserved in Coos County by the Title X Program and the Family Planning Expansion Project. About one third of the clients were teens; the rest were adults, up to age 60.Many of these were women in need of public assistance to get services and avoid unintended pregnancy.

Frances Smith
Coos County Public
Health Administrator
Member of the Coos
County Women's
Health Coalition