Family Planning Council of Iowa

11/25/2025

Popular? We know about popular💖

Remembering to donate to FPCI next week on Giving Tuesday? That'll make you very popular indeed.

What else is popular? Birth control access! Over 90% of Americans support access to birth control. Help us give people what they want by marking your calendars and remembering to donate on December 2nd! Our goal is to raise $2,000!

Donate by visiting our website or by clicking the link: fpcouncil.org/support-fpci/

11/24/2025

This week's new board member is Alicia Eichmeier! She will be serving as the Board Treasurer:

"I am the Senior Director of Finance at Dwolla. I have over 20 years of experience in accounting and finance, and have worked most recently in the payment technology space.

When I was approached about joining the board, I only had high-level knowledge of FPCI and its work. As I got to know the organization through Allison, other board members, and research, I was inspired by their passion and determination about reproductive health and knew I wanted to help drive the organization forward.

I am looking forward to helping FPCI find a path to continue to fulfill its mission in a constantly changing landscape."

Welcome to the board, Alicia!

11/21/2025

Today we're talking about one of the safest, simplest, and most effective forms of long-term birth control: the vasectomy.

A vasectomy is:
🔹 Quick (usually done in under 20 minutes)
🔹 Safe (low risk and minimal recovery time)
🔹 Over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy
🔹 Reversible in many cases (though it should be considered permanent)
🔹 A shared responsibility that gives men a proactive role in family planning

Why does World Vasectomy Day matter?
Because informed decisions create healthier families, stronger relationships, and empowered communities. Every year, thousands of men choose a vasectomy as a responsible and thoughtful step in their reproductive journey.

If you’re curious, talk to a qualified healthcare provider and get the facts.

Remember! Reproductive health is everyone’s responsibility 💙

11/20/2025

Happy National Rural Health Day!

Did you know:
🌽In Iowa, about 37% of the population lives in rural areas.
🌽More than half of Iowa’s counties (66 of 99) are classified as “contraceptive deserts,” meaning they lack health centers offering the full range of birth control methods, affecting roughly 173,100 women in need.
🌽Meanwhile, one-third of Iowa’s counties are “maternity care deserts” with no OB/GYNs and no birthing hospitals or birthing centers.
🌽Rural access barriers (distance, provider shortages, travel time) remain major challenges for reproductive health, preventative care, and chronic disease management.

Access to quality care close to home matters. Let’s continue working together to support rural clinics, invest in local health programs, recruit and retain healthcare professionals, and build a healthier future for every Iowan no matter their ZIP code.

If you or someone you know struggles to access basic safe s*x supplies, order a KISS Kit from FPCI! The customizable kits come with Plan B, pregnancy tests, condoms, and more. Visit the link in our bio or go to fpcouncil.org/request-a-repro-kit/ to order yours today!

11/19/2025

Join us for a virtual training with Heidi Wood from the University of Iowa's Addiction and Recovery Collaborative on Wednesday, December 3rd at noon! She will be discussing how to incorporate harm reduction strategies such as substance use screening and referral for treatment into Title X care.

Free continuing education credits will be available through the University of Iowa! Heidi will explain how to sign up to receive the credits during the training.

Register today at the link in our bio or by clicking the following link: lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/7294anb

11/18/2025

Mark your calendars! Giving Tuesday is on December 2nd, and we've got a WICKED-ly great fundraiser planned.

This year, our goal is to raise $2,000! Every dollar donated will go towards helping Iowans access affordable, high-quality s*xual and reproductive healthcare.

Stay tuned for more information!

11/17/2025

This week's new board member is Dr. Rebecca Stein! She will be serving on the Policy and Advocacy Committee:

"I am an OB/GYN who is passionate about making healthcare accessible to everyone, especially reproductive healthcare. Currently, I work as a volunteer gynecologist at the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic. Before medical school, I spent a year volunteering at an FQHC as part of the Pittsburgh Health Corps with a focus on patient education and outreach. During medical school, I completed an elective at CerviCusco in Peru where I performed hundreds of pap smears for women living in remote areas who would not otherwise have access to cervical cancer screening. As an OB/GYN, I love educating women about their bodies and healthcare choices with a particular interest in contraception, preventative healthcare, and menopause.

Recently, I have had more and more patients, friends, and colleagues frustrated with the ongoing changes impacting reproductive healthcare. Joining the board is the perfect way to turn my frustration into action by supporting an organization that provides resources and advocacy! I believe healthcare is a human right and birth control is healthcare.

I am excited to use my medical background and passion for reproductive healthcare to further the organization's mission! I hope to bring a fresh perspective to breaking down barriers to care from all sides: patients, providers, healthcare systems, and community settings. I enjoy getting to directly connect with the people FPCI serves so I am excited to help out at community events in the future."

Welcome to the board, Becky!

11/13/2025

We’re thrilled to see how successful the harm reduction vending machine pilot with Polk County Health Department has been in its first six months. This machine has already distributed thousands of essential items, from naloxone and gun locks to emergency contraception, condoms, and other s*xual and reproductive health products, helping people take care of themselves and stay safe. 💜🛟

The strong community response shows that meeting people where they are really works. We’re now exploring opportunities to expand the program, and we’re seeking additional grant funding and community donations to make that possible. Every new machine means more access, more safety, and ultimately, more lives saved.

Help keep this machine supplied and fund new locations by donating at fpcouncil.org/support-fpci/

A Polk County vending machine stocked with free health items like Plan B, naloxone and gun locks is seeing record use as access to care becomes harder in Iowa.

11/13/2025

This Nurse Practitioner Week, we celebrate the dedication, compassion, and expertise of Nurse Practitioners who make high-quality, accessible reproductive health care a reality through the Title X Program.

Every day, NPs provide essential Title X services, from birth control counseling and STI testing to cancer screenings and reproductive health education, ensuring individuals and families have the care and information they need to make informed choices about their health.

Nurse Practitioners are often the first point of contact for patients seeking confidential, affordable care. To all the NPs who make the Title X program happen in Iowa: thank you for empowering communities, expanding access, and protecting reproductive freedom for all!

11/12/2025

On November 12th, we say Thanks, Birth Control!

Here are 6 ways birth control has changed peoples' lives:
🩸 Easing period flow and cramps
🤰 Allowing people to decide if and when they become pregnant
❌ Preventing STIs
💦 Having stress-free s*x
🧴 Controlling acne
💊 Treating a medical condition

Birth control is health care. It’s safety, opportunity, and choice. Expanding access to birth control should be a public health priority! Removing barriers to contraception improves health outcomes, reduces inequities, and strengthens communities.

Join us in saying today and every day!

11/11/2025

Today we pay tribute to all who have served our country with courage, dedication, and sacrifice.

Your service protects our freedom, and your strength inspires us every day.

Thank you for all you’ve given. 💙

11/10/2025

This week's new FPCI board member is Brandi Steck! She will serving on our Policy and Advocacy Committee:

"Currently, I work at Iowa Primary care Association and I am the district leader for district one for the Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization (BH-ASO). Prior to this role, I worked at Siouxland Community Health Center where I was the director of behavioral health and specialty services - I ran the Title X program! I have worked in s*xual and reproductive health my entire professional career starting in the early 2000s at Planned Parenthood in Chicago.

I joined the board to stay involved in reproductive health and family planning advocacy. Now that I no longer run a Title X program, I felt it was important to join the board so I can continue to advocate for Title X services nationally, and in the state of Iowa.

I’m looking forward to staying involved and knowledgeable about what is happening nationally and advocating for services in the state of Iowa."

Welcome to the board, Brandi! We are so happy you decided to stay involved with FPCI.