Massachusetts EC Network

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Massachusetts EC Network

• Current efforts to increase awareness of and
  access to EC in Massachusetts with limited
  resources

Julia Gaggin Humphreys, MPH
Assistant Director, Mass Dept of Public
Health Family Planning Program Stacie Garnett

Mass EC Network Coordinator
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EC Network Presentation

• Development Structure
• The Work of the Network
• JP Pilot Project
• New Worcester Project
• Other Network Activities
• Successes Challenges

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EC Network Members

• NARAL ProChoice Massachusetts
• DPH Family Planning Program
• Planned Parenthood / Family Planning agencies
• Physicians / Clinicians
• Pharmacists
• Jane Doe (DV/sexual assault)
• CHCs

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EC Network Development

• Determined organizations willing to assume
  coordination/facilitation duties
• Planned a meeting and networked broadly for
  audience turnout
• Created mission, goals and objectives
• Determined structure of network ie. Formed
  committees (Public
  
  Provider Education)

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Mission Statement

• To provide a forum for those interested in
  improving access to and public knowledge of
  emergency contraception - including medical
  providers, community organizations, and
  government agencies - to share ideas, coordinate
  resources, and maximize the impact of our work on
  the shared public health goal of reducing
  unintended pregnancies.

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Membership

• Different Levels of Membership
• E-newsletter
• Biannual Meetings / Projects
• Official memberships (consent)
• Steering Committee

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JP Pilot Project

• Goal Increase access to EC among women aged 18
  - 44 in Jamaica Plain with a focus on those who
  are uninsured, underinsured, and/or MassHealth
  (Medicaid) eligible

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JP Pilot Project Strategies

• Provider Education
• Pharmacist Education
• Public Education

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JP Public Education Survey

• 51 of Latina women had heard of EC vs. 95 of
  White women
• 47 indicated awareness that EC works by
  preventing pregnancy
• 68 had never talked to a doctor, nurse or
  pharmacist about EC
• 54 knew that it is only available by
  prescription in Massachusetts

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JP Provider Education

• Developed key contacts in leadership positions
  in 3 CHCs
• Provided training for clinical and
  administrative staff
• Worked with staff to develop strategies to
  reduce barriers to access
• Provided EC protocols, patient materials

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JP Pharmacist Education

• Network pharmacists conducted visits to JP
  pharmacies
• Prepared pharmacists for increased demand
• Encouraged pharmacists to discuss and counsel
  patients about EC

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JP Public Education

• Developing / collecting materials in Eng/Span
• Partnering with local health groups
• Outreaching at community events
• Organizing volunteers to conduct campaign

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New Worcester Project

• Chose community due to results of Planned
  Parenthood focus groups
• Targeting new Brazilian population
• Educating providers, pharmacists and the public
  similar to JP
• Highlights include involvement of state senator
  to combat pharmacy issues

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Other Network Activities

• EC training in CHCs across the state
• Multidisciplinary EC Forums
• Continuing Education for medical students,
  residents and health care providers
• Continuing Education for Pharmacists
• Additional community-based projects
• Legislative Activities

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EC Network Challenges

• Initial Challenges
• Lack of paid staff to coordinate public
  education component
• Lack of funding
• Lack of pharmacist involvement
• Lack of clear leadership
  structure
• Todays Challenge Momentum

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EC Network Successes

• Obtained foundation funding for the collaborative
  work of the Network
• Assessed the resources at the table
• Partnered with a school of pharmacy
• Created an EC Network Steering Committee

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Contact Information
For more information contact Stacie Garnett
stacie_at_prochoicemass.org 617.556.8800
x13 Julia Gaggin Humphreys
julia.gaggin-humphreys_at_state.ma.us 617.624.6059