October 2023
[Jackson, MS] – On Friday, September 29. 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded Title X federal funding, to Converge to administer family planning programs in Tennessee. Title X is the only federal grant program dedicated solely to increasing access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care among individuals with low incomes.
Under Title X, Converge will support a network of clinics in Tennessee offering high-quality and person-centered sexual and reproductive health care. Services including birth control consultations, STD testing and treatment, cancer screenings, and more will be offered for free or low-cost. No one who seeks care at a Converge clinic in Tennessee will be turned away based on their ability to pay.
Converge is the current administrator of Title X funding in Mississippi where this model has proven successful. “We are excited to share what has worked in Mississippi while continuing to adapt and innovate to meet the unique needs of Tennesseans. Together, we can advance equity and ensure everyone has the opportunity to live life on their own terms,” said Danielle Lampton, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director, Converge.
Too many people lack access to sexual and reproductive health care and suffer poor health outcomes as a result. In 2021, Tennessee reported a maternal mortality rate of 62.4 deaths per 100,000 live births. This rate increases when looking at maternal mortality rates among people of color, and is coupled with a 10.1% uninsured rate , higher than the national average.
“In Tennessee, as with so many places across the country in the post-Dobbs era, there is a heightened need for clinics that offer the full range of sexual and reproductive health services. We want to help fill these gaps with high-quality, person-centered care. We want Tennesseans to know there is help available,” said Jaime Bardwell, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director, Converge.
About Converge
Converge is a Mississippi based non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring everyone has access high-quality, person-centered sexual and reproductive health care when, how, and where they need it. Converge collaborates with health care providers, insurance companies, and community partners to build a health care system that places people at the center of sexual and reproductive health care.
Title X Federal Funding Awarded to Converge to Support a Statewide Network of Family Planning Providers
Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an award of $4.5 million to Converge to support a statewide network of Title X providers beginning April 1, 2022. Title X is the only federal grant program dedicated solely to providing individuals with comprehensive family planning and related preventive health services.
Informed by its experience directly supporting the Mississippi Title X network (administered by the Mississippi State Department of Health from 1970 until March 2022) with training, quality assessments and improvements, and program evaluation, Converge will establish and administer a statewide Title X project that emphasizes access, quality, and equity.
Converge’s Title X network will launch with clinics across Mississippi. The diverse network of providers includes long-standing Title X-funded clinics, with decades of experience providing Title X services and the capacity to serve more than 30,000 clients in the first year of the project. This initial network will ensure continuity of family planning services in communities of need across the state.
“Converge was born in Mississippi, based on the belief that Mississippians deserve the best in their family planning health care,” said Jamie Bardwell and Danielle Lampton, Converge’s Co-Founders. “We are pleased that our vision for a Title X project that places people’s preferences and desires at the center of family planning decisions was funded. We look forward to administering Title X funding with the efficiency and transparency necessary to restore and expand access to quality, person-centered family planning care throughout Mississippi.”
Converge collaborates with health care providers, insurance companies, and community partners to build a health care system that places people at the center of family planning care. Beginning April 1, 2022, Converge will administer Title X funding for the state of Mississippi.
Converge is accepting proposals from qualified clinics for grants to support their provision of family planning care to low income and/or uninsured people. To learn more, click here.
All people deserve access to quality, affordable reproductive and sexual health care. Your support helps us expand access, training, and advocacy to improve the patient experience for everyone.