Putting reproductive justice into practice through workshops for paraprofessionals

Background: The South Carolina Access Initiative uses a multi-pronged approach to foster broad-based participation in a reproductive health justice movement through needs/strengths assessments, engagement, outreach, and education. Reproductive justice situates in women's contexts across race, age, class, and sexuality, recognizing their right to decide if, when, and under what conditions they will give birth, their right to options for preventing/ending pregnancies and their right to parent children in safe healthy environments.

Objective: We are putting into practice these ideals through workshops for paraprofessionals interested in increasing effectiveness around interconceptual care for their pregnant/parenting clients.

Methods: Workshops are formulated by discussions about current gaps/needs. Starting with the premise that sexuality is part of life; we normalize conversation about all options to empower women to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. Using up-beat and hands-on demonstrations we offer new ways of talking to clients about understanding their reproductive system, family planning, pregnancy options counseling, prevention of STI/HIV, and how to have client-focused positive communications. Each workshop includes dialogue and a call to action.

Results: The 12 workshops to date received glowing evaluations, with participants reporting they are armed with new tools to work with clients, and new information for themselves. “It changed my approach to home visitation…I have officially joined the women's health movement and want to be another Margaret Sangar.”

Conclusion: These workshops allow us to put into practice reproductive justice tenets and equip paraprofessionals to be on the forefront of bringing these tenets to life with their clients.