Katie Schultz
News Editor

Mesa County Family Planning representatives from the Health Department handed out free condoms, Plan-B, and other contraceptives on Feb. 12, in the Academic Classroom Building to not only make students aware of how to practice safe sex, but to also make their presence known.
In recent years, Family Planning representatives have come to the MSC campus to hand out various contraceptives, but now they want to become a permanent fixture in the Student Health Center (to be located in the new student center).
“We’re hoping the process is simple,” said Mary Schaefer, manager of Family Planning. “We are hoping to connect with (Student Health Center) and just get over there.”
Schaefer hopes that getting into the Student Health Center will be easy, because both organizations are a part of Grand Junction Urgent Care.
Mesa County Family Planning offers many services. This includes all types of birth control as well as an annual exam for both men and women.
The Health Department is funded by the state through federal and state grants as well as anonymous donors. This helps the agency keep fees on a sliding base scale, meaning the amount a patient is charged for a service is based on his or her monthly income. This keeps the price low or free for any student on campus.
“We want to get in (the Student Health) for clarification,” said Brandy Hinkle, health educator for the Health Department. “We are not promoting abortion. We feel every child should be wanted, and we want to help.”
Hinkle also realized through visiting MSC that it wasn’t just women that were interested in what they had to give out.
“I’m impressed with the amount of guys I’ve seen who have shown interest in Plan-B and other products that we provide,” Hinkle said. “It’s great to see that it’s not only her responsibility anymore. It makes my heart smile.”
However, there is some overlap in the services that both Family Planning and the Student Health Center provide which includes both annual exams and birth control.
For more information on the services provided by both organizations visit mesastate.edu/studentservices for the Student Health Center, or call Mesa County Family Planning at 248-6906.
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kschultz@mesastate.edu