Macon County Health Department
Project Name: Macon County Health Department Cycle Care Program
Project summary: The Macon County Health Department is fighting for menstrual equity through the offering of menstrual supports for girls and women of Macon County. This allows our agency to empower females by providing accessible menstrual hygiene products to those in need.
Amount Requested: $7,500
Website: https://www.maconchd.org/
Project statement of need: The goal of the Macon County Health Department is to enhance period dignity and equity in Macon County. We feel this opportunity will allow us to provide support for girls and women in our county who are in need of menstrual supplies. No girl or adult should miss work, school, or go without due to lack of access and rising costs of feminine hygiene products. People of color, those who are low income, or women that are experiencing struggles obtaining period products would be able to receive support through our agency's services. Lack of access to menstrual products, education, and sanitary facilities can lead to absenteeism from school or work, increased health risks, and a significant impact on mental health.
Describe how this project aligns with your organization's mission and goals? Our goal is to promote health and equity in Macon County. The Cycle Care Program would allow us to serve a need that our residents are experiencing due to socioeconomic status or lack of access that is not widely known or discussed. This becomes a public health concern when women cannot access the products they need and this funding would allow us to bring support to girls and women in a variety of settings.
Age groups served: 6-65 years of age
Gender served: Female
Number of females served: 1,500
Explanation of intent - new program: 1. Our team recognized a need from our outreach efforts, clients that come in for services, and teaching at the schools.
2. We provide services to a high volume of clients that are currently in menstruating age throughout all of our divisions at the Macon County Health Department. We serve clients in our WIC and Family Case Management program, our Healthy Families of Illinois program, Better Birth Outcomes program and through our Health Promotion programs that provides education to our community and in the schools.
Sustainability beyond grant period: The Macon County Health Department will work to gain approval annually for the continuance of programming based on fiscal year budget determined by the Administrator and the Board of Health.
Interagency collaboration:
Director of Clinical Nursing Services- Amber Holthaus
Director of Health Promotion and Public Relations- Emily O'Connell
Director of WIC/FCM- Karen Shiflett
If you receive partial funding, how would the program be impacted? If we receive partial funding, we would be able to offer the same product/services but at a more limited quantity. If full funding is received, we can serve approximately 1,500 girls and women.
Project budget narrative: Our goal is to promote health and equity in Macon County. By creating the Cycle Care Program, this will allow us to serve a need that our residents are experiencing due to socioeconomic status or lack of access that is not widely known or discussed. The Macon County Health Department will work to gain approval annually for the continuance of programming based on fiscal year budget determined by the Administrator and the Board of Health. Our budget includes two types of pads, regular tampons, towelettes, bags, stickers and display board. The menstruation products will be divided into the bags that will have the sticker logo located on the front. The bags will also be distributed across Macon County through school health clinics and available in health classrooms. The program display board will be located on a table for all guests to see when they walk in the doors of the Macon County Health Department. The budget will be managed by project coordinators by tracking spending when products are purchased.
