OPA publications available for download are in Adobe (.pdf) file format. Adobe Reader software is required to read pdf files and it is available free at www.adobe.com.
To order publications or speak with an OPA Clearinghouse Information Specialist, call 866-640-7827, fax 866-592-3299, or e-mail info@opaclearinghouse.org.
The OPA Clearinghouse is sponsored by the Office of Population Affairs, Office of Public Health and Science, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
In 1970, Congress authorized the "Population Research and Voluntary Planning Program" (Title X) as part of the Public Health Service Act. Title X funds grants to assist in the establishment and operation of family planning projects that offer a broad range of acceptable and effective family planning methods and services (including natural family planning methods). 42 U.S.C. 6A states that: (1) priority will be given in such project or program to the furnishing of such services to persons from low-income families; and (2) no charge will be made in such project or program for services provided to any person from a low-income family except to the extent that payment will be made by a third party (including a government agency) which is authorized or is under legal obligation to pay such charge. For purposes of this subsection, the term "low-income family" shall be defined by the Secretary in accordance with such criteria as he may prescribe so as to insure that economic status shall not be a deterrent to participation in the programs assisted under this subchapter.
Projects supported with Title X grants give priority to people with low income and/or no health insurance - populations composed disproportionately of racial and ethnic minorities:
Title X funds the development of informational and educational materials as a critical component in helping clinics meet the needs of their clients. 42 U.S.C. 6A authorizes the Secretary to "make grants to public or nonprofit private entities and to enter into contracts with public or private entities and individuals to assist in developing and making available family planning and population growth information (including educational materials) to all persons desiring such information (or materials)."
Publications
The OPA Clearinghouse collects, develops, and distributes free publications on family planning, including information on contraception (abstinence, sterilization, etc.), reproductive health (cervical cancer, pap tests, etc.), and sexual health (sexually transmitted infection and disease, etc.).
Directory
To facilitate communication in the family planning community, the OPA Clearinghouse maintains the Family Planning Database and produces a directory of OPA-supported family planning grantees, delegates and clinics. If you have any changes to your contact information please contact the grantee in your region to update.
Referrals
The OPA Clearinghouse provides referrals to family planning clinics and to other government sources of information on contraception, reproductive health, and sexual health.
Mailing Lists
The OPA Clearinghouse maintains mailing lists of Title X and Title XX grantees and service providers. OPA uses these mailing lists to update grantees with information of value to the family planning community.
Our clients are primarily Title X-funded clinics, but also include educators, trainers, healthcare providers, healthcare consumers, and the general public.
To learn more about the OPA Clearinghouse, please contact us. Our friendly and knowledgeable information specialists are available to speak with you Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern.
TEL 866-640-7827
FAX 866-592-3299
E-MAIL info@opaclearinghouse.org
WEB www.opaclearinghouse.org
P.O. Box 30686
Bethesda, MD 20824-0686
