In Kentucky, 47 percent of all pregnancies are unplanned. In many Eastern Kentucky counties, schools still teach abstinence-only sex education, and young people are left to learn about birth control options and their bodies on their own.
In response to this lack of comprehensive sex education in middle and high schools in eastern Kentucky, Kentucky Health Justice Network, the national nonprofit Power to Decide, and Appalshop, collaborated to start All Access EKY in 2017.
All Access EKY is a project focused on ensuring young people have access to the full range of contraceptive methods in 10 Eastern Kentucky counties. Through coalition and partnership building, AAEKY works to evaluate and improve policies, practices, and services related to increasing access to contraception. The project uses multimedia storytelling and community outreach to raise awareness and support for the initiative.
Their paid fellowship program employs young people, ages 17 to 22, from Eastern Kentucky counties to create media campaigns around reproductive health, with the ultimate goal of increasing access to the full range of birth control options in eastern Kentucky. In the eight-week program, Fellows work on projects such as creating short films, designing and producing social media campaigns, tabling at local festivals, and distributing educational materials through clinics and businesses.
This summer, seven fellows completed a six-week media workshop in partnership with Appalshop’s long-time youth media program, Appalachian Media Institute. The films work to counter stigma from the bottom up, and have been very successful so far.
“There’s a big misconception out there that birth control promotes promiscuity. In reality, contraception offers young people a number of opportunities, such as helping them pursue education or career goals, as well as the ability to actively plan for their future,” All Access Outreach Director Kelsie Madden said.
Many Fellows bring their friends to All Access workshops with them, doubling or tripling the size of attendance. Some Fellows are even bringing men from their families to the film screenings. With a lack of public transportation in the evening – and sometimes having to make multiple trips to the clinic because of the low stock or other issues – it is helpful when families are informed of young people’s decisions to use birth control.
AAEKY also works to help clinics educate their staff to better inform patients of their options, and with policymakers to craft legislation to make access to birth control easier.
For example, State Representative Chris Harris from Pikeville sponsored House Bill 249 in 2018 that would allow people to keep birth control prescriptions filled for 12 months without having to see their doctors for a new prescription. While the bill did not pass, they believe this type of work is central to long-term change.
“One of the most transformative things we can do for Appalachians is provide them with access to contraceptive education and methods,” Madden said.
Young people knowing their options, educating each other and planning their own futures is fundamental to Appalachia’s New Day.
About: This is story #26 in the Appalachia’s New Day campaign, a new storytelling effort offered by MACED to eastern Kentucky communities. We can work with you to help identify, shape and amplify stories about businesses, programs and initiatives in your community that are helping build a new economy in eastern Kentucky. Read more stories here. Contact us or sign up here if you would like more details.
