National Institute For Reproductive Health Inc

Programs: Local programs: in 2007, amid years of setbacks to reproductive health and rights on the state and federal levels, the national institute launched a new initiative to support proactive, local-level advocacy. This strategy presented, and still presents today, an exciting opportunity to move beyond defense to develop and implement reproductive health policies that improve and expand access to vital services. Even in the most conservative states, we recognized that dynamic and supportive local leaders may operate in a political climate that makes their localities progressive pockets of possibility. The national institute, understanding that such leaders already possess valuable regional knowledge and networks, provides the funding, technical assistance, and strategic support they need to develop innovative and bold strategies that serve their community and build proactive momentum that reverberates beyond the county line. Since the initiative's launch, we have supported advocates and elected officials in addressing the issues that impact their communities the most, including comprehensive sex education and teen-friendly reproductive health care, the deceptive practices of crisis pregnancy centers, public funding for abortion, reproductive justice for incarcerated women, safe access to abortion clinics for patients, volunteers, and staff, and more. In 2017, through its partnership programs at the local level, the national institute focused on protecting and expanding access to abortion care; ensuring reproductive justice for incarcerated women; and supporting young people as advocates. To do so, it worked in dallas, el paso, and houston, tx; denver, co; durham county, nc; harrisburg, pa; hartford and middletown, ct; holyoke, ma; los angeles, ca; and new york, ny.

state programs: the national institute has worked with statewide organizations since its founding, but on the 40th anniversary of roe v. Wade in 2013, we formalized that work by launching a long-term initiative to secure reproductive rights and health in the states. With an eye toward building traction in states that have been generally hostile to choice, as well as leveraging the opportunities in more progressive states, this initiative is creating a groundswell of support to turn the tide on access to abortion. With our partners in strategic states across the country, we work to build and mobilize the grassroots as advocates for reproductive health and rights, engage policymakers, change the public dialogue on reproductive rights, and alter public policy to increase access to reproductive health care, including abortion. The national institute provides space for partners working on similar initiatives to share resources and best practices and offers access to our extensive network of advocates, officials, and allied national organizations spanning a broad range of expertise. We have supported advocates and elected officials in such important work as creating comprehensive policy agendas that support the full spectrum of reproductive and maternal health, including abortion, developing policies and other initiatives to increase access to reproductive health care, including a specific focus on underutilized forms of contraception, engaging in creative and bold defense against anti-choice bills, and supporting proactive policy on abortion. In 2017, through its partnership programs at the state level, the national institute focused on protecting and expanding access to abortion care, strengthening advocacy by independent abortion providers, securing access to confidential family planning services, and increasing access to long-acting reversible contraception (larc). As it did so, it sought to advance a proactive abortion rights vision, engage a new and broad base of supporters, and reduce shame and stigma by publicly promoting the affirmative value of abortion in women's lives. Its state-based efforts in 2017 took place in georgia, illinois, kansas, maine, massachusetts, michigan, new mexico, new york, north dakota, oklahoma, tennessee, utah, and wisconsin.

torch is a youth focused, peer education program that combines sexual and reproductive health/rights/justice education and leadership training for new york city black and brown youth. The program incorporates youth driven community action initiatives and fosters strong community partnerships to provide knowledge and empowerment opportunities for young people to make informed choices; to create a new generation of the sexual reproductive justice movement by fostering awareness and activism; and to offer accessible comprehensive sexuality education, that is medically accurate and inclusive of various identities and experiences. In fy2017, torch peer leaders facilitated 25 workshops for a wide range of community-based organizations on topics ranging from contraception to healthy adolescent relationships to exploring gender identity to body image and self-esteem. Torch peer leaders also developed and facilitated an entirely youth led teen night on rape culture. Over 40 young people from across nyc participated in this event. Additionally, torch staff presented at two national conferences on the intersectionality of race and sexuality and how to advance social justice in the sex ed classroom. Torch continued to strengthen community relationships in the bronx and brooklyn to build on the comprehensive site project which will bring youth informed comprehensive sexuality education to nyc public school students in low /no resource neighborhoods during the school day.