Massachusetts

Upstream is leading a statewide initiative across the Commonwealth to expand access to the full range of contraceptive methods. Through generous support from Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Upstream is partnering with health centers across the state to deliver training and technical assistance aimed at removing barriers to contraceptive care.

Our approach empowers patients to decide when and if they want to become pregnant

We work with health care providers of all types, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), family planning clinics, hospital systems, group practices, state and local health departments, community agencies and more to reduce barriers preventing patients from accessing the same-day birth control method of their choice.

I had absolutely no idea of how involved Upstream would become in the inner workings of our health center, how connected they would become to our staff and providers and to the mission of the center, and how they would keep such a high energy level for the goals all the way through.”
Dr. Tracy Kedian Associate Medical Director for Perinatal Services, Family Health Center of Worcester

47%

of all pregnancies in Massachusetts are unintended.

Impact goals

We strive to make a significant impact on the state of contraceptive care in Massachusetts for all patients, regardless of where they get their healthcare.

5 years

Length of Upstream’s state-wide initiative to provide training and technical assistance to health centers across Massachusetts.

35+ participating agencies

Agency partnerships across the multi-year project, including FQHCs and group practices.

250,000+ patients reached

Women of reproductive age served by fully trained health centers when project is complete.

Are you a Massachusetts provider?

Upstream provides comprehensive contraception training, technical assistance, and coaching at no charge to healthcare centers, hospital systems and community-based organizations.

Partnering with Upstream

Nearly half of all pregnancies in Massachusetts are unintended

In 2014, 373,060 Massachusetts women aged 13–44 were in need of publicly funded family planning services. Publicly supported family planning centers met 25% of Massachusetts women’s need for contraceptive services and supplies.

Source: Guttmacher Institute

MA Executive Office of Health and Human Services endorsement

The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to providing women in Massachusetts with access to comprehensive, reliable and safe contraceptive care. The Commonwealth has partnered with Upstream USA and Boston Medical Center to provide training, technical assistance, and quality improvement to health care providers at no financial cost to you. This initiative aims to ensure that women across the Commonwealth – regardless of insurance status or where they receive care – have access to the full range of birth control options and quality contraceptive counseling.”

Marylou Sudders, Secretary of Health & Human Services, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Massachusetts partners

Lauren Baker, First Lady of Massachusetts
Anne d’Avenas, OBGYN and Women’s Health Director, Fenway Health
Jennifer Childs-Roshak, President & CEO, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts
Jessica Aguilera-Steinert, Director, Health Services, ABCD
Katharine White, Principal Investigator, Partners in Contraceptive Choice and Knowledge at Boston Medical Center
Lauren Peters, Undersecretary for Health Policy, Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Louis Brady, President & CEO, Family Health Center of Worcester
Susan Dargon-Hart, Vice President, Clinical Health Affairs, Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
Susan West Levine, CEO, Lowell Community Health Center
Tara Kumaraswami, Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program Director at UMass Memorial

Ensuring contraceptive access during the COVID-19 pandemic

Thank you to all of the healthcare heroes on the frontline working diligently to prevent, help and heal our communities during this unprecedented time. We are grateful for your service. Here are several strategies to ensure that the contraceptive needs of your patients can still be addressed while you work to manage the COVID-19 outbreak.

Resources

Massachusetts Resources

Information on state telehealth guidelines, prescription drug coverage of Depo-subQ, and instructions for patients on self-injection of Depo

Want to work in Massachusetts?

Check out opportunities on our careers page.

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