The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) is honoring Stanislaus County for the "Reduction in Teen Pregnancy Through TANF Funding of Expanded Family Planning Services" program - one of only 12 programs statewide to receive a coveted 2001 Challenge Award. The 12 winning programs will be highlighted at the CSAC Annual Meeting in Sacramento in November.

The HSA entered into a collaborative Inter-Agency Agreement with CSA to expand and enhance the HSA family planning program and offset unreimbursed costs through TANF funds. The contract was approved in August 2000. Stanislaus County was the first county in California to use TANF funds for family planning services. The goal was to increase access to family planning services county-wide with special attention to the communities of Waterford, Oakdale, Riverbank, Patterson and Newman. The objectives included a 10% increase in services overall and a 5% increase to male clients based on the current California Department of Health Services' (DHS) report of unmet needs. This goal was met within the first six months of the program by expending only 50% of the contract award.

It is estimated that the $50,000 spent on the Family Planning Outreach Program has resulted in over $300,000 in total medical costs saved for the Stanislaus County community. This is based on an estimate that each averted teen pregnancy results in a savings to the health system of $872.98. There is a savings of $5.85 for medical costs incurred per dollar spent on contraception.

According to HSA Family Planning Director Samantha Phillips, "One of the barriers to accessing family planning services is that people first need to know where and what services can be received along with the cost. The PACT program takes these services out into the community to overcome these barriers."

Phillips also noted the program brings positive health outcomes. "The program empowers families to make decisions regarding spacing of children, which ultimately provides better birth outcomes including reduction of low birth weights, early entrance into prenatal care and the ability for prospective parents to be as prepared as possible.

Gerry Caviness, Assistant Director of the Community Services Agency (CSA) stated, "The Community Services Agency is very pleased to have been a partner in this innovative program to expand family planning services in the outlying communities in Stanislaus County. These enhanced services will have a significant impact on reducing teen pregnancy, keeping kids in school, and preparing teens for responsible adulthood. HSA has exceeded its goals in the number of teens that have been served through this expanded effort and has been very cost effective in the administration of this program."

The CSAC Challenge Awards program exemplifies the very best of county government," said CSAC Executive Director Steven Szalay. "The programs highlighted each year demonstrate how California's 58 counties are striving to continuously serve their constituents more efficiently and cost-effectively. Stanislaus County's program embodies what the Challenge Awards are all about."

This year, 174 entries from 33 counties were entered in CSAC's Challenge Awards competition. A panel of distinguished judges with expertise in county government selected the winning entries based on their innovatin, creativity, resourcefulness, effectiveness, collaboration, cost savings and ability to be duplicated in other counties. All entries will be highlighted in a directory published and distributed statewide by CSAC later this year.

The California State Association of Counties, founded in 1895, is a nonprofit corporation that promotes the interests of California's 58 counties before the state Legislature and U.S. Congress. The association is based in Sacramento.

The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency (HSA) is an outpatient medical system with 9 medical offices located throughout Stanislaus County. The HSA operates the Public Health Department, an Urgent Care Center and multiple programs serving over 475,000 patients and clients each year in Stanislaus County. The HSA also is in local partnerships for the MOMobile project and the Stanislaus Family Practice Residency Program. The HSA has extensive community health information available at its web site www.hsahealth.org