Happy Mother’s Day!

Empowering Women to Become Mothers When They Are Ready

Jefferson County, CO--May 8, 2016 is Mother’s Day and a wonderful time to celebrate mothers worldwide. It is ideal for a woman to become a mother when she is ready – physically, emotionally, financially and in all the other ways a person can imagine. Jefferson County Public Health can help women develop a reproductive life plan to assist women in becoming parents when they are ready to do so on their own terms. A woman can decide what goals she would like to accomplish before having children, and her health care provider can help her acquire and use the birth control method that works best for her until she is ready to have a baby. When women are ready for a pregnancy, they should start adopting healthy behaviors at least 3 months before trying to conceive – a healthy diet, exercise, taking prenatal vitamins, avoiding alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs are all essential for a healthy pregnancy. Pregnancies that are planned pregnancies are more likely to have healthier outcomes for babies, mothers, and the family as a whole.

May is also National Teen Pregnancy Prevention month and a good time for parents to talk with their teens about the importance of reproductive health. Studies show that teens who are able to talk with their parents about sex and choices related to sex are more likely to wait to have sex for the first time, use protection when they do, and are less likely to become young parents themselves. Support exists for families who need assistance in talking with their children about these topics, and Jefferson County Public Health is committed to providing assistance for community organizations and schools to assist in this venture.

Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) clinicians are ready to help teens, women and their families in whatever way is needed for women to achieve their goals of motherhood on their own terms. For teens and women who are not ready to be mothers yet, JCPH clinic offers all methods of birth control including long acting reversible contraceptives like IUDs and implants at the Lakewood location. For women who are ready for a pregnancy, we can provide physical exams as part of a women’s wellness visit, pregnancy testing, advice on how to prepare for a healthy pregnancy and referrals to local prenatal providers for pregnancy care. Our low cost services are provided on a sliding fee scale and to people with Medicaid and many other insurance plans. No one is denied services due to the inability to pay. 

“Jefferson County Public Health is committed to empowering individuals to make informed choices about their reproductive health, as well as empowering people to become parents when they are ready to do so,” states Kelly Conroy – Jefferson County Clinic Services Nurse Manager.   “We provide family planning clinics that are confidential and include comprehensive services to support and educate teens, adults and families in our community.”

Women who are currently pregnant and celebrating Mother’s Day this year may also benefit from other programs at Jefferson County Public Health. The JCPH Nurse Family Partnership program is a home visitation program for first time mothers and their babies from pregnancy to 2 years of age, and Prenatal Plus is a home visitation program for first time or any time mothers offering community resources and a focus on empowering women to make healthy lifestyle choices and achieve their goals throughout the pregnancy.

JCPH Family Planning Services:

·                  Health education and counseling, including information regarding abstinence

·                  Pregnancy testing and counseling

·                  Birth control Information & supplies, including free condoms

·                  Long-acting reversible contraception, including IUDs and implant

·                  Screening for sexually transmitted infections and HIV

·                  Emergency contraception/Plan B

·                  Treatment of minor gynecological problems

·                  Referrals to other health and social services

To schedule an appointment, please call our Lakewood clinic: Lakewood 303-239-7078.

For more information:

• JCPH Sexual Health/Family Planning web page
• JCPH Teen Sexual Health web page  (Go Ask TISH (Text Information Sexual Health);  Sex Ed With Mel (videos with answers about sexual health)
• Healthy Youth Colorado, a Colorado youth partnership: Youth work directly with adults to help make decisions affecting all youth in Colorado. www.healthyyouthcolorado.org
• Colorado Department of Health and Environment Unintended Pregnancy Initiative: http://www.beforeplay.org/
• Advocates for Youth, a nationwide advocacy group providing information for youth, educators, and parents on sexual health education and resources for helping families to have healthy conversations about sex with children of all ages: http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/index.php

Have questions about sexual health? Go Ask TISH!

Jefferson County Public Health’s Family Planning program reminds adult and youth that planning pregnancies actively is one of the most important things that can be done for reproductive health.   In addition, February happens to be National Condom Month. It is a perfect time to remind everyone that   safe sex means more than using birth control, it also means using condoms and other barrier methods to prevent sexually transmitted infections. Of all the birth control methods available, the condom is the most frequently used method that is not only effective at preventing pregnancy (98% effectiveness rate for male condoms and 95% for female condoms, when both used correctly and consistently) but also protects against the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV.

While various forms of birth control may prevent pregnancies, they do not prevent the spread of HIV and other STIs.  If you are sexually active and have not been using safer sex practices including condoms, limiting the number of partners you have, and do not know your STI status, you are at risk.  Get tested at our clinic location in Lakewood.  Call 303-239-7078 to schedule an appointment.   If you have any questions and need answers, text your questions to 720 446-TISH (8474), the Text Information Sexual Health line is confidential and answered regularly by one of our public health nurses. You can also watch the Sex Ed with Mel video episodes on safer sex practices and sexually transmitted infections for more information. 

Have questions about sexual health? Go Ask TISH!

Jefferson County Public Health’s Family Planning program reminds adults and youth that preventing unplanned pregnancies is one of the most important things you can do for your reproductive health. In addition, February happens to be National Condom Month and a perfect time to remind everyone that safe sex means more than using birth control, it also means using a condom. Of all the birth control available, the condom is the most frequently used method that not only has a high contraceptive rate (98% effectiveness rate for male condoms and 95% for female condoms, when both used correctly and consistently) but even protects against the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV. 

While various forms of birth control may prevent pregnancies, they do not prevent the spread of HIV and other STIs. If you are sexually active and have not been using a condom, you are at risk. Get tested at our clinic location in Lakewood. Call 303-239-7078 to schedule an appointment. If you have any questions and need answers, text 720 446-TISH (8474), the Text Information Sexual Health line is confidential and answered regularly by one of our public health nurses.

Safe Sex

Access to sexual and reproductive health services is essential for healthy populations. JCPH supports all women’s and men’s rights to such access. The Family Planning Program provides comprehensive contraceptive services to Jefferson County residents. Services include education, counseling, medical examination, treatment and birth control methods for men and women.

Reproductive health and birth control (family planning) services are available at our Arvada and Lakewood locations. Services are provided on a sliding fee scale and to people with Medicaid. No one is denied services due to the inability to pay. In addition to providing birth control pills and condoms to prevent unintended pregnancies, the department offers alternatives through long acting birth control methods, including no scalpel vasectomy for men. Remember, some activities are definitely high risk for HIV, STIs and Hepatitis infection. Protect yourself and your partner . . . wear a condom and get tested!

• For appointments in Lakewood: 303-239-7078
• View the JCPH Sex Ed with Mel video on birth control
• Youth and young adults in Jefferson County can also use Go Ask TISH to get answers about their sexual health.
• Get with Public Health, like us on Facebook.

May is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month

Nearly half of all pregnancies in Colorado are unintended, meaning they occur sooner than desired or occur when no pregnancy is desired at any time. For teens the percentage is even higher, with the vast majority being unintended. Research shows that science-based, comprehensive sexuality education, contraceptive access and youth development programs can help young people make choices that can protect them from unintended pregnancy. Jefferson County Public Health’s Family Planning Program offers reproductive health services including birth control at its new Lakewood location at 645 Parfet Street. Please call 303-232-6301 to make an appointment. Walk-in hours are also available. Services are provided on a sliding fee scale. No one is denied services due to the inability to pay. Youth and young adults in Jefferson County can also use Go Ask TISH to get answers about their sexual health. It's confidential, just text your questions to 720-446-TISH (8474) and get answers from a public health nurse. We also have created videos to help educate teens and young adults on reproductive health, watch the JCPH “Sex Ed with Mel” video series.

Consequences of Unintended Pregnancy:

• birth defects
• low birth weight
• elective abortion
• maternal depression
• increased risk of child abuse
• lower educational attainment
• delayed entry into prenatal care
• high risk of physical violence during pregnancy
• reduced rates of breastfeeding

Additionally, teen mothers are less likely than their peers to earn a high school diploma or GED.

We all have a role in helping our youth become successful adults. Parents, teachers, friends, employers and others are invited to take time this May to help prevent teen pregnancy. Engage the youth in your life in conversation, get teens thinking about how a pregnancy might affect their life and help them come up with a plan for avoiding pregnancy.

For more information on Teen Pregnancy:

• JCPH Family Planning (reproductive health and birth control) services.
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s web page on Breaking the Cycle of Teen Pregnancy.
• Download the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Action Guide to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.
• Visit Stay Teen, Stay Informed website.

Need answers to your questions about sexual health? We are here for you.

Jefferson County Public Health’s Family Planning program reminds adults and youth that preventing unplanned pregnancies is one of the most important things you can do for your reproductive health. In addition, February happens to be National Condom Month and a perfect time to remind everyone that safe sex means more than using birth control, it also means using a condom. 

While various forms of birth control may prevent pregnancies, they do not prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you are sexually active and have not been using a condom, you are at risk. Get tested at one of our clinic locations in Lakewood or Arvada. Call 303-232-6301 for an appointment. If you have any questions and need answers, text 720 446-TISH (8474), the Teen Information Sexual Health line is confidential and answered regularly by one of our public health nurses.