Family Planning of Clallam County's Male Involvement Program

	Male Involvement Project
Home Services Programs FPCC Events Links to Resources You Can Help About Us
		Strong Choices Fatherhood Fraternity Men's Advisory Group Teen Health Advocate
		FPCC's Male Involvement Program features clinical care, community outreach, and educational activities to improve young men's ability to make informed decisions about their reproductive and sexual health and responsibilities. The goals are to: increase knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm of adolescent boys and young adult men to actively promote their role in reducing teen pregnancies and STI transmissions; to raise awareness of reproductive health risks, problems and responsibilities of males; to increase community and individual awareness regarding the importance of the roles and responsibilities of young males in the prevention of teen pregnancies; to increase males' access to and utilization of reproductive health information and contraceptive supplies (especially condoms to reduce the spread of STIs); and improve the health and social well-being of Clallam County children by increasing the number of young fathers who support the economic, social, and emotional needs of their children.
		PROJECT ACTIVITIES
		Clinical: A major reason that men do not utilize health services is that men are embarrassed to address their reproductive health concerns. FPCC strives to eradicate the notion that the clinic is a "women's only" center. FPCC's clinic provides respectful male reproductive healthcare. A basic array of health services is available including condom distribution, reproductive health services, vasectomy funding, counseling and referral, sports physicals, STI testing & treatment, and HIV testing & counseling. While studies indicate that receiving treatment from female nurses does not appear to make males uncomfortable once they have come in for services, as part of the Strong Choices Project, cultural competency training is sought for providers. Community Outreach: To foster community support for male involvement in the prevention of unintended pregnancies, FPCC Health Educators distribute flyers and program materials throughout Clallam County stressing the importance of male involvement in teen pregnancy prevention. Several health awareness campaigns are promoted including but not limited to Sexually Transmitted Disease Awareness Month, Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month, and Men's Health Week featuring a free Health Fair & Fitness Expo. Education: Strong Choices features the Fatherhood Fraternity which offers monthly coaching and mentoring sessions for young fathers. This support group environment for young men who will become or are currently young or teen fathers, can offer a chance to meet other young fathers to discuss the challenges of being a father. Each session includes a half-hour presentation of information on relevant topics (how to access health resources or government services, proper care for the child, legal issues pertaining to custody). A discussion is held and after a break, an activity with the father's children is held (Building Dinner with Dad, craft projects). The Strong Choices Project and Fatherhood Fraternity participants will also create a poster board for the agency waiting room with photos of young dads in action with their youth. Other Strong Choices education activities include support groups for at-risk adolescent males [separate from the Fatherhood Fraternity], classroom education, Tribal Youth Talking Circles for Native American boys, reproductive health education at the Clallam County Juvenile Detention Facility, and provision of the Baby-Think-It-Over Program. Through education sessions on sexuality, decision-making, contraception, gender equity, STIs, date rape, and responsibilities, gender stereotypes and myths can be addressed while clarifying values and attitudes around sexuality. Skill-building in sexual decision-making, partner communication, abstinence, and consistent & correct condom use is emphasized throughout the Strong Choices education offerings. FPCC's Teen Health Advocate (THA) provides consistent, medically-accurate peer education and outreach to local youth in a number of settings. Topics include high-risk behavior and consequences, decision making, peer-pressure, resiliency, family support, assertiveness skills, self-esteem, abstinence, birth control, and sexually transmitted infections, to name a few. The THA fosters peer-to-peer interactions that support healthy choices and help youth resist unhealthy peer pressure. Participants develop confidence in their personal decisions and make less risky choices.
		SO, WHY PROVIDE SERVICES TO MEN AND BOYS?
		While the family planning sector has primarily provided services and education to females, reproductive health information and services are equally important for males. Historically, males have encompassed a paltry two to four percent of clients served by Title X family planning clinics annually. Many men are aware of their role in the prevention of unintended pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, life priorities, traditional masculine beliefs, and lack of access to care (perceived and real) often serve as barriers. In addition, young men are socialized to "know it all" when it comes to sex, to not ask questions, and to always be ready and willing to engage in sex. These factors, combined with a sense of invulnerability, lead many young men to engage in sexual activity that puts their own and their partners' reproductive health in jeopardy. In order to reach these individuals, family planning of Clallam County works to connect male-focused clinic services, outreach, and education which helps men make positive decisions or "Strong Choices". It is not enough to provide condoms and vasectomies. Men can and do make a lasting impact on the prevention of unintended pregnancies, from practicing responsible sexual behavior to advocating for men, promoting policy changes that support men's reproductive responsibility and rights, as well as the encouragement of their peers. Family Planning of Clallam County's (FPCC) Strong Choices Project provides the foundation on which to provide these services. Locally, 49.4% of Clallam County's 66,800 residents are male and 11,291 males are under the age of 29. The majority of male residents acquire a high school degree (85.5%), however, significantly fewer obtain a bachelor's degree or higher (20.8%). While Clallam County's teen pregnancy rate has continued to decline from 49.4 per 1,000 females aged 15-17 in 1998 to 22.7 per 1,000 in 2004, there is still much to be accomplished. The need for access to information and healthcare for the procurement of birth control is evident. According to the Center for Health Statistics 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), only 18% of males had ever visited a healthcare provider for birth control, compared with 77% of women. In fact, 82% of men indicated that they never have accessed a health care provider for birth control. Broken down even further, only 41% of all men in the target ages 18-24 accessed birth control services. Adult and young men are not accessing services that absolutely apply to them. Further analysis reveals that boys initiate sex earlier than girls and they tend to accumulate more sexual partners over their lifetimes. It is also important to understand that not all teen pregnancies involve male adolescents. It is critical to include men in their twenties because many of these young adults have teenage female partners. On average a male is 2 to 3 years older than the female, a pattern that is repeated among adults. This means that many older teen females who are 17, 18, and 19 years old are highly likely to have partners in their twenties. FPCC recognizes that many of the males who should be involved in teenage pregnancy prevention efforts are not teens. Finally, by reducing teen and early pregnancy, responsible fatherhood may be achieved. Research shows that committed fathers are important to the health and welfare of their offspring. Unfortunately, the status of the relationship between young couples is vulnerable during these years. The research confirms that both parents are an important influence on whether their children become juvenile parents themselves. Young fathers frequently face limited contact with their child(ren), are unable to contribute financially (On average, 80% pay less than $800 annually for child support), and are often rejected by family. They may believe that they are simply unwelcome and inadequate as parents. There are compelling reasons to promote the involvement of fathers in their children's lives including the value of their positive influence, their effectiveness in increasing children's academic achievement, and the importance of their financial support.
		For further information: Please contact: Kris Richardson, FPCC Health Educator (360) 452-2954 Ext 16 Cherie Reeves Sperr, Director of Programs & Operations Ext 17