Freeholder Gerald Thornton announced today that the Cape May County Department of Health will continue to receive state funding to offer family planning services for thousands of Cape May County residents. Freeholder Thornton said, “Family Planning’s health programs provide essential services to teens and young adults, including family planning and access to contraception, cancer and sexually-transmitted disease screening as well as counseling and education. We are pleased that the State of New Jersey is able to continue funding these services through the Cape May County Department of Health.”
The Cape May County Department of Health has offered family planning services to county residents since 1995. Health Officer Kevin Thomas stated, “The State Department of Health and Senior Services recognizes that our family planning clinic is the only place that teens, low income, and uninsured women and men can access care and obtain contraception, counseling, education, screenings, and treatment.” There is no charge for teens 18 years and younger and a nominal fee (based on income) for persons 19 years and older. “The County’s family planning services are unique in that in addition to providing quality care at an affordable cost, staff also performs risk assessments with teens. Parental involvement is encouraged, but at the same time, confidentiality is ensured, thus providing a safe haven for teens,” said Thomas.
Thornton added, “The persistent efforts of local legislators, family planning staff and the support of clients played a role in helping the state recognize the valuable contribution and quality care that is being provided to the residents of Cape May County, as well as the negative impact that the lack of these services would have on residents.”
Additional information on the County’s family planning services is available at cmchealth.net.
