Contraceptive access initiatives and Title X: A synergistic partnership

Synergy is the interaction or cooperation of two or more forces to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their parts. As generators of new clinical knowledge for the sexual and reproductive health field and conveners for collaborative efforts to mobilize for state policy change, Contraceptive Access Initiatives (CAIs) have strengthened the Title X family planning program. Conversely, Title X is an essential source of care for millions of patients that face barriers to accessing contraceptive services. By linking CAIs with a broad and diverse network of service sites that stand to benefit from their innovations, the Title X program bridges research-to-practice gaps and supports improved population-level outcomes through changes in practice, systems, and policy. CAIs also can lean on Title X networks to support aspects of implementation and post-implementation sustainability, leveraging the broader scope of confidential services they provide at no cost or discounted rates, their training infrastructure, and the inroads they have built with community stakeholders and policymakers since the program's inception over 50 years ago. Given the uncertainty of the current funding landscape, such partnerships are critical to keeping access points to person-centered contraceptive services open, particularly for individuals with low incomes, without insurance, and in need of confidential services.