Health Department Receives Grant to Strengthen Sexual and Reproductive Health Services at Howard Community College
Health Department Receives Grant to Strengthen Sexual and Reproductive Health Services at Howard Community College Howard County Government
sdgtalks
Grant Received to Promote Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinic at Howard Community College
The Howard County Health Department (HCHD) has announced the receipt of a grant from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) to promote and increase student engagement in the sexual and reproductive health clinic at Howard Community College (HCC). This funding, provided through the IWPR Connect for Success Initiative, aims to ensure that the services provided at HCC meet the needs of the student population.
Connect for Success is a groundbreaking initiative that aims to significantly increase community college students’ access to high-quality, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services and supports, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Improving Access to Health Services
Dr. Maura Rossman, Howard County Health Officer, highlights the lack of access to on-campus health services in many community college campuses across the country. The collaboration between the County, HCHD, and HCC leadership has led to the expansion of sexual and reproductive health services available on campus. The grant provides an opportunity to improve awareness of these comprehensive services and ensure all students have access to high-quality care.
Expanding Services and Assessing Awareness
Thanks to the funding provided by Howard County Government in 2022, the HCHD Health Services team has expanded the hours and services available at its HCC Health Clinic. The next step involves administering a survey to HCC students and staff during the fall 2024 semester to assess the current awareness and accessibility of these health clinic services. Other planned activities include building partnerships and connections with existing campus programs, conducting student focus groups, recruiting student clinic champions, and expanding clinic branding.
Supporting Reproductive Healthcare
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball acknowledges the importance of reproductive healthcare services at HCC and thanks Dr. Rossman, her staff, and IWPR for their support in ensuring women have the right to make their own choices for their reproductive healthcare and family planning needs. Dr. Daria J. Willis, Howard Community College President, emphasizes the empowerment of students through good information and quality guidance on sexual well-being. The partnership between Howard Community College and Howard County continues to expand reproductive and sexual health services, providing students with care when they need it most.
Breaking Down Barriers
Dr. Jamila K. Taylor, president and CEO of IWPR, highlights the significant barriers faced by community college students, especially those from historically marginalized communities, in accessing sexual and reproductive health care and resources. The Connect for Success initiative aims to break down these barriers, ensuring that all students have the support they need to thrive academically and personally, aligning with the SDGs.
Connect for Success Initiative
HCHD was one of 11 recipients of funding through the IWPR Connect for Success Initiative. For more information about Connect for Success and the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, please visit https://iwpr.org/connect-for-success or contact Dr. Martinique Free, project director of Connect for Success, at free@iwpr.org.
Learn More
Learn more about the sexual and reproductive health clinic operated by the Health Department at HCC by visiting our website or calling 410-313-7500. HCHD provides sexual and reproductive health services to Howard County women, men, teens, and LGBTQIA+ communities. At our clinics, there is no residency requirement, no one is turned away because of the ability to pay, services are confidential, and there is no need for parental consent, regardless of age.
About the Institute for Women’s Policy Research
The Institute for Women’s Policy Research strives to win economic equity for all women and eliminate barriers to their full participation in society. As a leading national think tank, IWPR builds evidence to shape policies that grow women’s power and influence, close inequality gaps, and improve the economic well-being of families. Learn more at IWPR.org and follow us on Twitter.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
- SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
- SDG 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Availability of sexual and reproductive health services on campus
- Awareness and accessibility of health clinic services among HCC students and staff
- Expansion of clinic branding and partnerships with existing campus programs
- Number of student clinic champions recruited
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs. | – Availability of sexual and reproductive health services on campus |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development. | – Awareness and accessibility of health clinic services among HCC students and staff |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | SDG 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences. | – Expansion of clinic branding and partnerships with existing campus programs |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | – Number of student clinic champions recruited |
Source: howardcountymd.gov
