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.

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.

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 or in Arvada: 303-275-7500.

·         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. 

Preventing Teen Pregnancy

We can all celebrate recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing that teen birth rates in the U.S. are down and have been declining for the past 20 years. Good news indeed, but hold the applause, the CDC also points out that the teen birth rate in the U.S. remains nine times higher than in other developed countries. Furthermore, while the number of pregnancies may have declined, the number of teens who are having a second child, or third, before they are 20-years-old is on the rise. This is called a repeat birth. The data show that one out of five teen moms have repeat births. According to the CDC, every day in the U.S., 183 "repeat" teen births occur with the majority of these (86 percent) being second births and 13 percent being a third child. Teen pregnancy and repeat births among adolescents are an important public health issue because they are closely linked to a number of negative social and health outcomes including, poverty and income, child well-being, responsible parenthood, health issues, education, child welfare, and others. Preventing unplanned pregnancies is considered a Colorado and Jefferson County winnable battle. 

Jefferson County Public Health’s Family Planning Program has been reaching out to teens and their parents with reproductive health education and services since the 1970’s. Different birth control methods, the importance of spacing pregnancies, how to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and abstinence education are all topics that one of the JCPH family planning nurses can help with. Parents and teens are encouraged to call our clinic at 303-232-6301 with any questions about our family planning services or to make an appointment. As the month of May is Teen Pregnancy Awareness Month, JCPH would like to remind all of its residents that the best way to prevent teen pregnancy is through education. For more information, please visit our website or call 303-232-6301. Also, check out our “Teen Health Matters” educational display in several county libraries and the Courts and Administration Building.

What Does Your Insurance Cover?

ATTENTION SEXUALLY ACTIVE and RESPONSIBLE LADIES!

Many of us were taught at an early age to take charge of our health, our bodies and our minds. That is why many of today’s sexually active women rely on family planning services.  Unfortunately, for so many women the pocketbook gets in the way of making responsible choices when it comes to the use and availability of contraception choices.  Getting on a birth control pill, the patch, an IUD or any other female form of birth control involves visiting a healthcare provider.  Even if you have insurance, contraception and family planning services may not be covered. 

Under the The Affordable Care Act, insured women are meant to have better coverage and access to  preventive services including birth control.  Not necessarily. Recently, a friend of mine found out that her policy does not and will not cover contraception.  During a recent visit to get birth control services for her college-aged daughters, who are covered under her plan, she was told that despite having insurance there was no form of contraception that would be covered.  She was confused.  How is better and more affordable access possible if your plan denies coverage?

Upon further research, my friend discovered that because her insurance provider, through her spouse’s employment, was faith based they were exempt from the Affordable Care Act’s requirement.  In fact, any plan sponsored by certain religious employers or group health insurance in connection with such plans, do not have to cover contraceptive services.  So with health insurance that doesn’t cover contraception, my friend and many others are left wondering how best to take care of their and their children’s reproductive health needs.

Fortunately, Jefferson County Public Health does provide family planning services, including contraception to individuals regardless of race, religion, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or marital status.  All services are confidential and fees are based on your ability to pay- no one will be denied services for inability to pay. 

Calling your insurance company to find out whether or not you are covered is the first step when it comes to taking charge of your reproductive health.  If you find that you are not covered, rest assured that Jefferson County Public Health can help.  For more information on Jefferson County Public Health clinic and other services, please call 303-232-6301.