641—74.1 (135) Program explanation. The Iowa department of public health is a designated agency to operate the family planning program pursuant to an agreement with the federal government. Congress authorized grants to assist in the establishment and operation of family planning projects which offer a broad range of acceptable and effective family planning methods, including natural family planning, infertility services and services to adolescents. The majority of the funding available is from the Title X, family planning services grant, administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
The purpose of the program is to promote the health of persons of reproductive age and families by providing access to family planning and reproductive health promotion services.
The department, bureau of family health, enters into contracts with selected private and public agencies within the department family planning service area for the provision of family planning services. A description of the department family planning service area can be obtained from the Chief, Bureau of Family Health, Department of Public Health, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075.
The maternal and child health (MCH) advisory council assists in the development of the state plan for MCH, including children with special health care needs and family planning. The advisory council assists with the assessment of need, prioritization of services, establishment of objectives, and encouragement of public support for MCH and family planning programs. In addition, the advisory council advises the director regarding health and nutrition services for women and children, supports the development of special projects and conferences and advocates for health and nutrition services for women and children. The director appoints the council membership. Membership shall include parents of and service providers for children with special health care needs. Council membership shall also include the chairs, or designees, of the department’s advisory committee for perinatal guidelines and the birth defects advisory committee to ensure coordination of each committee’s respective issues and priorities. The chair of the family services grantee committee or the designee of the chair may serve as an ex officio member of the council.