While Planned Parenthood is still in the planning stages of entering the county, the local group has changed its name to encompass Imperial County.
The group, which had previously served San Diego and Riverside counties, is now known as Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest.
“Several factors would come into play before that decision was made,” said Sylvia Barron, director of community-based health initiative.
The group has been partnering with different groups since it started looking at expanding into the county in 2006, she said.
The group received a grant to do focus groups and find out whether there was a need for Planned Parenthood locally, she said. Those groups showed a need for comprehensive sex education in schools as well as reproductive health clinics.
Since then Planned Parenthood has become more involved, having informational medical professionals bring information to residents about things like reproductive cases, sexually transmitted infections and cancer screenings.
The change, so far, is only in the name, said Jennifer Coburn, director of communications and marketing for the group.
“We haven’t made any plans for a clinic there yet, but we’re exploring that,” she said.
The group is looking forward to having a great impact on the region in the future, said Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson, chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest.
Staff Writer Elizabeth Varin can be reached at evarin@ivpressonline.com or 760-337-3441.
The group, which had previously served San Diego and Riverside counties, is now known as Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest.
“Several factors would come into play before that decision was made,” said Sylvia Barron, director of community-based health initiative.
The group has been partnering with different groups since it started looking at expanding into the county in 2006, she said.
The group received a grant to do focus groups and find out whether there was a need for Planned Parenthood locally, she said. Those groups showed a need for comprehensive sex education in schools as well as reproductive health clinics.
Since then Planned Parenthood has become more involved, having informational medical professionals bring information to residents about things like reproductive cases, sexually transmitted infections and cancer screenings.
The change, so far, is only in the name, said Jennifer Coburn, director of communications and marketing for the group.
“We haven’t made any plans for a clinic there yet, but we’re exploring that,” she said.
The group is looking forward to having a great impact on the region in the future, said Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson, chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest.
Staff Writer Elizabeth Varin can be reached at evarin@ivpressonline.com or 760-337-3441.
