More than 20 million births are projected to occur in California in the next 25 years, two-thirds to women under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). To keep pace with the family planning needs of Californians, the Family PACT program was implemented by the State in 1997. This innovative new program builds on the successes of 25 years of publicly-funded family planning services in California.
Eligible clients include all California residents – women and men – with a family income below 200% of the FPL and with no other source of coverage for family planning services. Family PACT served 750,000 clients in FY 97/98 and one million clients in FY 98/99. Sixty-one percent of clients were Hispanic, and 25% were white. Fifty percent reported Spanish as their primary language. Clinical services are available through private practices as well as through community clinics and county health departments. More than 2,500 medical offices and clinics provide Family PACT services.
Family PACT clients have access to a comprehensive array of family planning services, including all contraceptive methods; screening for STI’s, HIV, and cancer; STI treatment; and individualized education and counseling. Other innovative features of Family PACT include: on-site enrollment of clients; inclusion of pharmacies and laboratories as service sites; and culturally and linguistically sensitive services.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe recent developments in California's publicly funded family planning program, including the new public-private partnership and changes in payment mechanisms. 2. Describe evaluation findings related to innovative features of the new Family PACT Program
Keywords: Family Planning, Public Health Administration
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: State of California, Office of Family Planning, Family PACT Program
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employee - Chief of Clinical Services