The Urban Initiative supports local initiatives by providing financial and technical support for local policies and programs to improve urban reproductive health.
Grants
Through the Urban Initiative, the National Institute is providing more than $200,000 in grant funding, along with targeted technical assistance, to advocacy organizations in twelve cities across the United States which are collaborating with local elected officials and public health leaders to create progressive policies and programs at the city and county level to improve urban reproductive health outcomes.
States with organizations receiving Urban Initiative grants
We are pleased to announce the 11 Urban Initiative for Reproductive Heath grantees for 2009-2010:
Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice
Oakland, CA
Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice will positively impact the reproductive health of low-wage women workers in Oakland by working with local reproductive justice advocates and economic development officials to reduce workplace exposure to toxic chemicals and other harmful working conditions.
Denver Teen Pregnancy Prevention Partnership (DTPPP)
Denver, CO
A partnership among six Colorado community-based organizations, DTPPP promotes sexual health for students and families attending three participating urban-based schools serving primarily Latino students.
Feminist Women’s Health Center and Planned Parenthood of Georgia
Atlanta, GA
Feminist Women’s Health Center and Planned Parenthood of Georgia will further the work of the Urban Initiative Coalition in Atlanta, including the creation of a policy agenda, a plan for implementation and a field organizing strategy that will push for a city or county policy to address health care disparities in communities of color.
Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health (ICAH)
Chicago, IL
ICAH's Young Parents Alliance program offers a parenting youth group and will work with Chicago Public Schools to increase support for young parents.
Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention and Parenting (MOAPPP)
St. Paul , MN
MOAPPP will work to implement a requirement that all Minneapolis public schools teach evidence based sexuality curriculum at least once between grades 6-8.
NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland Fund
Silver Spring and Baltimore, MD
NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland Fund will work to support local initiatives to improve reproductive health outcomes.
NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts Foundation
Boston, MA
NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts Foundation will lead coalition work to reduce racial, ethnic and socio-economic reproductive health disparities among Boston teenagers.
NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio Foundation
Columbus, OH
NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio Foundation will develop relationships with members of the city government, Public Health Department, service providers and other organizations interested in reducing reproductive health disparities in Central Ohio.
NARAL Pro-Choice Washington Foundation
Seattle, WA
NARAL Pro-Choice Washington Foundation is participating in the King County coalition to address health disparities and ensure that access to reproductive health care is prioritized in countywide policy.
Planned Parenthood of the Texas Capital Region
Austin, TX
Planned Parenthood of the Texas Capital Region will work to develop an “Empowering Healthy Teens” campaign to highlight the need for a city-wide focus on preventing teen pregnancy and STI rates, including creation of a City of Austin Leadership Taskforce.
Women’s Law Project
Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, PA
Women's Law Project is working to create a guide to successful buffer zone legislation and to organize a statewide training for abortion clinic escorts.
Please contact Amy Boldosser for more information about the Urban Initiative grants program.
Technical Assistance
The Urban Initiative works with local advocates as well as elected and public officials to inform them of new policy developments on reproductive health that might be of interest in their local communities. Through the Urban Initiative, the National Institute has collected local models for reproductive health programs and policies, as well as data and research on reproductive health indicators in US cities.
Please contact Emily Alexander if you have a specific question or would like more information about a local policy or program.
