A STEP AHEAD FOUNDATION OF EAST TENNESSEE INC

Empower Women At Risk & Reducing N.A.S. Program – Program is designed to empower women at risk of having a baby exposed to prescription drugs (Opioids) or illegal drugs to make an educated choice about family planning by voluntarily choosing to utilize a long acting reversible contraception (LARC) as their primary form of birth control. Program is a one on one education program that covers all costs associated with receiving a LARC. Program will provide family planning education, cover all forms of birth control, discuss the impact of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome on babies as well as cover the costs of any Long Acting Reversible Contraception chosen to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. Our program is designed to allow a woman to focus on her health and wellness without having to handle an unplanned pregnancy or worry about the costs of birth control. Program will partner with Drug Rehabilitation centers, support groups and other community programs and VTM 2020 will provide the one on one education program. A Step Ahead covers all costs associated with receiving long acting reversible contraception (device, STI testing, pregnancy testing and other Well Woman testing if medically necessary). Program is designed to meet women at point of service where they seek assistance with addiction and help them focus on their health without having to handle an unplanned pregnancy.

Program Relevancy:
The Opioid epidemic in East Tennessee has skyrocketed in the past 5 years in turn resulting in significant increase in babies born dependent on drugs (Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, N.A.S.) in East Tennessee. 85% of women prescribed Opioids in East Tennessee are not prescribed birth control. For many women the medical professionals they see at Rehabilitation Centers, through support groups or other community programs are the only medical professionals they see on a regular basis. This provides a unique opportunity for A Step Ahead and our partners to work with responsible providers who specialize in rehabilitation services to provide family planning education including Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome education and give women access to long acting reversible contraception absolutely free. A Step Ahead Foundation of East Tennessee is dedicated to empowering all women at risk that is why we will be focusing on educating and providing access to Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARCS) for women prescribed narcotics or are living a lifestyle that is not conducive to having a healthy child.