"This is an exciting opportunity for the Council and is testament to the diversity and vibrancy of our organization," declared Dorothy Mann, Executive Director, Family Planning Council. "We will be conducting ground breaking research and making tremendous strides in improving services for women and men in our community," Mann added.

-- The vast majority of patients in traditional family planning programs are female. Funded for five years, the new male services program will explore ways to make family planning programs more welcoming to men. "If we are going to be successful in preventing unintended pregnancy, we need to serve men," said Tristan Ruby, Director of Adolescent & Male Programs. "After all, women do not get pregnant by themselves and we know that men want to be responsible when it comes to preventing pregnancy," Ruby added.

-- Funded for three years, the project on Natural Family Planning will explore consumers' knowledge, attitude and beliefs regarding Natural Family Planning. This project will identify ways to reduce barriers for consumers who want to use this method of family planning.

-- The project on HIV testing, also funded for three years, will evaluate options for improving HIV testing for women in family planning programs.

The Family Planning Council is a private, non-profit organization. It funds 29 local health care organizations including the region's top teaching hospitals, community health centers, Planned Parenthood affiliates, and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. These agencies provide high quality, comprehensive family planning services throughout the five county Philadelphia region to 145,000 low-income patients.

Source: Family Planning Council

CONTACT: Sarah Grambs of Family Planning Council, +1-215-985-2619

www.aegis.org