PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF WESTCHESTER, INC.

Third ANNUAL MEETING

MENTAL RETARDATION INSTITUTE

VALHALLA, NEW YORK

MAY 17, 1973

OUR GOALS

--That every child be a wanted child- If unwanted,  it can be killed   -No problem for us rich folk.

--That high quality voluntary fertility control be available and fully accessible to all

--That health care services throughout Westchester County include family planning

--That appropriate information, education and training programs be developed

--That with our help a United States population of stable size in an optimum environment achieved

First, growth of service continued. Some 0,500 women received contraceptive care, an increase of 19.4% over 1971; 6,000 of these patients were also tested for VD. The number of pregnancy tests reached 2,200, more than triple 1971. Consultations and inquiries which resulted in referral to another agency increased by 147.. When you consider all avenues of assistance, over 12,000 wOmen turned to PPW for help in 1972.

In addition, clinics were opened for Coordinated Human Services of Westchester in Mount Kisco, New Rochelle, North Tarrytown, Ossining, Peekskill, Port Chester and Yonkers. In this federally funded program, PPU, with the County Health Department, is providing the medical service. The family living outreach is provided primarily by community action groups and also by Family Service of Westchester and the Health Department. Close to 500 patients were served in these 7 clinics in 1972.

In the community, 3,600 people attended PPW talks or presentations on birth planning or population, and 300 professional people received training in family planning procedures.

Behind all these services is a staff of 53 - mostly - part-time - and 360 clinic, office and committee volunteers.

An important staff development was Mr. Sheldon's successful application for a one-year grant from the State Health Department for funding a Director of Program Services to coordinate and supervise our widespread clinics. We were very fortunate that Mrs. Frances B. Humphreys, long Director at Hudson River Center, was willing to delay her retirement until last month in order to inaugurate this position. PPW owes a great deal to Mrs. Humphreys. For 12 years she gave the Hudson River Center its high standards; during the difficult early-merger days she was a pillar of strength; and she has capped this contribution with 6 fruitful months as Director of Program Services. The type of dedication Mrs. Humphreys has does not stop with retirement, and I'm sure we will continue to benefit from her knowledge and judgment in many ways. Her friends have established a PPW film fund in her honor for the purchase of educational films and projection equipment.

The volunteer component of PPW is composed of over 1,000. In addition to the 360 clinic, office and committee volunteers, 650 people are engaged in fund-raising -- in the all-important county-wide campaign and, last year, the 'first joint effort, an auction. Led by Hudson River volunteers, the auction was a smashing success, raising over $34,000, a result significant not only for 1972, but also as an indication of the potential of this year's auction in September.

A most significant event last year was the receipt of a substantial donation from Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Manny, long believers in the importance of family planning and loyal friends of the Eastern Center. It has always been PPW's lot to be stretching funds available to us just to continue service to patients. Other actions which are needed have had to be postponed. The Mannys' generous gift has made it possible to act on some of these unmet needs -- to enable us to maintain the quality of service during steady growth and to extend the scope of our service. The Planning Committee, with Mr. Bradlee Boal as Chairman, has recommended, and the Board approved, the commitment of this special gift for four purposes:

The financing for 2 years of a part-time Medical Director, an essential position in an organization of our size (1250 clinics sessions in 1972).

A loan fund for abortion assistance to particularly needy women who have come to us for referral.

A telephone information service which, in conjunction with a publicity campaign, would extend knowledge of family planning and Planned Parenthood.

The relocation of the Eastern Center from Port Chester to White Plains. Since the Eastern Center now serves more patients in its White Plains clinics than in Port Chester, this will place the Center where the demand is the greatest. Further, it is appropriate that the County seat be one of the hubs of patient service, that it be a major birth planning service center, and its presence in White Plains will provide the vortex needed to develop a strong volunteer organization in this key area. It is a move with significance for the future.

Last fall, Planned Parenthood of New York City was specially funded for a statewide abortion education program. We requested that Westchester be included, and cooperated in the setting up and staffing of a White Plains office. With Ms. Polly Rothstein as Coordinator, this office did an excellent, energetic job until the historic Supreme Court decision made the program no longer necessary, at least for the present.

The Westchester Community Services Council has just issued the results of a special county study based on the 1970 census which finds that the number of seriously depressed, impoverished census tracts rose sharply from 33 in 1960 to 41 in 1970. This rise was attribute(: to population growth during those ten years. A parallel study of the delivery of health services in 1970 shows that while many volunteer agencies were not delivering much of their service to the areas most in need of assistance, Planned Parenthood was among those delivering the highest rate of service to these deprived neighborhoods. It is satisfying to receive this outside recognition of the effectiveness of our agency.

Not only is Planned Parenthood targeted on the areas most in need of assistance. It is still the primary dispenser of family planning service in the County. While the Department of Health and some hospitals experienced their greatest growth in family planning clinics in 1972 -- a most welcome trend -- it is still Planned Parenthood which provides 81% of clinic birth planning in Westchester.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF WESTCHESTER, INC. - 1972 149 Grand Street, White Plains, 11.Y. 10601

PROGRAM - 1972 NUMBER

Total contraceptive patients (new and continuing) 3,796 (19.4% over 71)

New patients only 4,366 (11.47% over 71)

Referred by another patient, family or friend 2,702 (657.)

Medical exams (all patient, including revisits) 13,711 (10.2% over 71)

Patient supply refill contacts 8,789

Patients: counseling only 392

Patients referred 1,043

(Abortion, 84; sterilization, 29; social services, 21;

other medical services, 909)

Non-patient referrals resulting from consultation/inquiry:

Abortion 1,711

Sterilization 190

Pregnancy tests 2,279 (2237 over 71)

Gonorrhea tests 6,033

Talks, presentations (to non-PP groups) 145

Persons who attended 3,625

Orientation sessions for medical, nursing, social work,

public health, teaching personnel 56

Persons who attended 381