05-22-98 Planned Parenthood Makes Good On Promises to subvert Kisco
Youth
020993 Planned Parenthood
wants teens to have a safe Valentine's, Day
MOUNT KISCO --- True to its promises, new services have been implemented at Planned Parenthood in Mount Kisco following the merger of the Planned Parenthood centers in Rockland, Westchester and Suffolk counties. Mount Kisco's office is now offering a
number of free and confidential services for those under 17 years of age.
The new program is called TWIST, Which Stand s for The Walk-In Services for Teens. It provides
walk-in hours for teens under age 17 on Tuesdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 P.M. They
can just come right in without in appointment," noted Violet Petroni senior clinician at the Mount Kisco
office. "The service makes it it lot easier for teens to get to us. The access is
easier. There is no embarrassment of Picking UP the phone and making the
appointment."
Teenagers can receive free pregnancy testing, free first examinations, free HIV testing and free STD testing. They can also receive options counseling at the clinic. Ms. Petroni described the staff at the Mount Kisco center as
very caring. She said, "The setting at our center is very relaxing. People feel comfortable coming here. It's not at all like a clinic, which tends to make teens nervous.
"Being here for teenagers is very important. We help them learn more about themselves and how to prevent STDs, and
give
them education about health and awareness of diseases and pregnancy," said Ms. Petroni.
She noted that making it easier for teens to prevent pregnancy doesn't make them
more prone to have sex."A lot of times kids don't want to go into CVS to buy birth-control or pregnancy tests,
They don't feel comfortable and they are embarrassed to be seen by someone they know.
Ms. Petroni stressed that the clinic sees just as many men as women. "We aren't just here for
women are here for everyone."
Planned Parenthood President Francine Stein noted that TWIST is designed to eliminate some of the barriers encountered by teens.
"Many teens don't want to get on the phone and call ahead," she said. "Walk-in hours
remove that problem. And free visits remove a financial obstacle, while giving young
women and young men a chance to experience reproductive health care as easy, comfortable, confidential and necessary."
The merger of the Planned Parenthood centers in Suffolk, Westchester (which includes
Putnam) and Rockland counties took place at the beginning of the year. Two years of negotiation, preceding the merger,
gave birth to Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic (PPHP).