CARE at Planned Parenthood Great Plains
The Center for Abortion and Reproductive Equity (CARE) at PPGP is a coordinated, interdepartmental effort to support equitable access to abortion and other sexual and reproductive health care services, in light of the overruling of Roe v. Wade. In response to the fear felt by our patients and the significant hurdles to care in our region, PPGP is working to identify new ways to support and respond to our patients’ needs.
To apply for a position on the CARE team, visit openings HERE.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is CARE a nonprofit organization?
- CARE is a division of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, which is a 501c3 non-profit organization.
- What are CARE’s goals?
- To ensure that abortion and other essential reproductive and sexual health care is never out of reach for patients in the PPGP coverage area.
- To ensure patients’ long-term well-being, with staff dedicated to linking patients to mental health support and other resources.
- To build an equitable future for abortion access and reproductive health care through collaboration with allied organizations, faith leaders, and members of the diverse communities where PPGP operates.
- To maintain a permanent hub for equity-driven organizational growth, professional learning about systemic barriers to reproductive health care, and training resources in anti-racism, trauma-informed care, and economic justice.
- How does CARE work?
- The Patient Navigation team works with patients who need abortion care and face barriers to receiving it. This includes legal barriers, such as bans in their state of residence; systemic barriers, such as a lack of care providers in their community; and personal challenges that complicate out-of-state travel for care.
- Social workers and complication specialists are helping to develop a network of “wrap-around” services, such as a referral network for therapists and social work support to link patients to affordable and accessible comprehensive health care, and anything else that can enhance their health, safety, and economic mobility.
- CARE’s director will work with leadership at health centers and across the organization to amplify existing efforts and build power among partners doing this work throughout the diverse communities PPGP operates in.
- CARE at PPGP houses resources and develops trainings to ensure that all staff know they are seen, valued and heard - and further - that everyone associated with PPGP continuously builds upon their understanding of, and commitment to, the work necessary to dismantle racism and further reproductive justice.
- To apply for a position on the CARE team, visit openings HERE.
- How does CARE expand or improve what PPGP has done for decades?
- PPGP has grown into a four-state provider of sexual and reproductive health care, education, and advocacy during the past 85 years. We have long stood as a trusted source of expert, non-judgmental care, including abortion, birth control, STI testing, treatment, and care inclusive of all gender identities and expressions.
- CARE at PPGP strives to improve the quality and accessibility of this care in light of systemic issues, such as white supremacy and economic injustice that uniquely impact each patient.
- How was CARE created and developed?
- Following increasing restrictions targeted at reproductive health, including current and anticipated total bans on abortion in the region, CARE was created under the leadership of PPGP’s Medical Director Dr. Iman Alsaden and Vice President for Health Services Brie Anderson to provide coordinated support for patients seeking services, many of whom come from BIPOC, rural, and otherwise marginalized communities.
- CARE is an extension of the Patient Navigation program PPGP launched as a means to support the overwhelming number of patients from Texas who sought care at PPGP health centers after the state’s six-week abortion ban took effect. CARE also creates a formal space within the organization to further our commitment to anti-racism and reproductive justice.
- Where does CARE operate?
- CARE will maintain staff and partnerships throughout the PPGP coverage area, with PPGP’s Wichita, Kansas, health center as the primary base of operations.
- Is CARE affiliated with crisis pregnancy centers?
- No, it most certainly is not. CARE exists to lower barriers to comprehensive care, including abortion, with a commitment to addressing the structural challenges faced by marginalized communities. Crisis pregnancy centers exist to persuade people to carry unwanted, unplanned, and even dangerous pregnancies to term. To serve that agenda, crisis pregnancy centers lie to patients about their health, the law, and available resources.
- How can I speak with someone who can help me access abortion, or other essential health care?
- Our goal is to make things as easy as possible for patients, so call your nearest PPGP health center, or 1-800-230-PLAN. Our operators can help determine your closest and most timely option. If you need additional support or guidance, they will directly connect you to a member of the Patient Navigator team.
- I am involved with an organization that would like to partner with CARE. Who should I reach out to?
- We want to hear from you! Get in touch with our Director of Education and Community Relations Shaashawn Dial, and she’ll put you in touch with the right person at PPGP. Contact Shaashawn at [email protected].
- Have ideas on how CARE could help address issues facing patients? Tell us!
- I would like to make a donation supporting CARE at Planned Parenthood Great Plains. How do I go about that?
- Thank you for your support. Donations to PPGP go directly to supporting our health services, including CARE at PPGP. You may give online, HERE.
- I would like to stay up-to-date on CARE’s partnerships in my community. How can I do that?
- Sign up for our newsletter.
- Follow @ppgreatplains on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
- To apply for a position on the CARE team, visit openings HERE.