Program Background and Description Sample Clauses

Program Background and Description. The mission of the Bureau of Women’s and Children’s Health (BWCH) is to “strengthen the family and community by promoting and improving the health status of women, infants, and children.” This is accomplished through the provision of community-based services and the facilitation of systems development. The Bureau of Women’s and Children’s Health administers the federal Maternal Child Health Title V Block Grant and other federally funded programs, as well as private and state supported programs. The Bureau of Women’s and Children’s Health, Reproductive Health/Family Planning Program is a statewide, clinic- based, program that provides comprehensive family planning and reproductive health services to promote optimal health to Arizona’s men and women. Services include education, screening, counseling, and medical and referral services that enable people to make voluntary and informed decisions. Program services are preventive health services that enhance maternal and infant health, and the emotional and social health of the individual and the family. Reproductive health and family planning is a cost effective intervention that plays a key role in health care delivery. Clinics are often the entry point into the health care system, and may be the only source of health care for the low income, for the young, and for the underinsured and the uninsured. Program services promote responsible and healthy lifestyles by providing accurate information, education, and counseling to people regarding their reproductive health and family planning options. Program services provide individuals with the information and means to exercise personal choice in determining the number and the spacing of their children. Research indicates that women who can plan and space their pregnancies are likely to have healthier babies. The reduction of unplanned pregnancy increases the likelihood that women will receive early and continuous prenatal care. Improved birth outcomes include a reduction of birth defects, decreases in infant mortality, and decreases in the incidence of low birth weight babies. An important social statistic indicates that children born to individuals who are prepared for them are less likely to be abused and/or neglected. Clients receive initial or annual exams which include a choice of a family planning method, cancer and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) screenings. Clients also receive treatment as indicated, pregnancy testing, counseling, education, and referra...