We’ve all driven by the building at 619 Box Butte Avenue in Alliance that has banners on the front for Behavioral Health, WIC, and FRHS – Family Reproductive Health Services. And we’ve all wondered what this office is and what these programs are!
This is one of three offices for Western Community Health Resources. WCHR serves several counties in the Panhandle, with offices in Chadron, Gordon, and Alliance. These offices provide a variety of programs, including immunizations, behavioral health, food assistance through WIC and commodities, prescription assistance, assistance for special needs children, and respite for caregivers. Several of these will be covered in future articles.
Family Reproductive Health Services (FRHS) is one of many reasons to pay a visit to the office. Many young people come in for birth control, both to learn about types and to obtain contraception. Under federal law young women age 14-24 do not need parental permission to obtain services. Their family insurance is not filed, to protect confidentiality.
But family planning services include much more than just birth control. FRHS services include physicals with pap smears, breast exams, STD checks and treatment education, contraception and education, pregnancy tests with counseling and referrals. Medical professionals can spot serious health problems like low blood iron, abnormal paps, breast abnormalities, high blood pressure, and infections. Women who have experienced sexual assault can be screened at the clinics, and are then referred to other agencies.
The FRHS team includes a doctor from the Chadron Medical Clinic who serves as the Medical Director. A Nurse Practitioner is the primary provider, and she and four additional nurses rotate through the three clinic sites. They are available to answer any questions people have about sexuality, their body, and their health. Being honest about sexual orientation helps them work with individuals to design the best reproductive healthcare program. They acknowledge and respect all sexuality choices.
Parents often have difficulty discussing with their children the changes happening in their bodies as they reach puberty. FRHS staff does not only talk about these changes, but also the health responsibilities that come with physical maturity. Come in and they’ll help talk with him/her about protecting future fertility, including prevention and protection through responsible reproductive health care.
Family Reproductive Health Services is open to all individuals regardless of age, income and marital status. Fees are based on a person’s income, and are paid on a sliding scale. Everyone qualifies for services regardless of their ability to pay. If insurance is available, either through a private or a government program, patients are asked to provide that information; again, insurance is not required to receive services.
All three WCHR centers take walk-ins. They prefer that people call ahead and make appointments, and most are scheduled for the same day. The Alliance office phone number is 308-762-3696. WCHR is open Monday through Thursday, 8-5; closed Friday through Sunday.
Family Reproductive Health Services are paid for by federal Title X grant funds. For 50 years, Title X family planning clinics have played a critical role in ensuring access to a broad range of family planning and preventive health services. The goals of the program are to reduce unintended pregnancies, prevent adolescent pregnancy, reduce the rate of sexually transmitted diseases, and promote the health of women and men, and especially mothers and children.