The genetic risk screening, education, and referral program: a model program for training of health professionals

This report describes a statewide program which trains family-planning personnel to provide genetic risk screening, to educate clients about potential genetic risks, and to make appropriate referrals to genetics centers. The program is unique in that training and service delivery are all done within the structure and agencies of the family-planning councils of Pennsylvania. Through the collaboration of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the family-planning councils, and trainers from clinical genetics centers, a uniform and comprehensive program for training and service delivery has evolved. This program now provides genetic risk screening for nearly 100,000 women/year, many of whom are from groups typically underserved by genetics services.