Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of an agreement with Jane’s Due Process to provide logistical support services for reproductive healthcare, which may include support for travel, case management, emotional support, or other services that would support a client who is facing barriers to abortion access, for an 11-month term, through September 30, 2025, for a total contract amount not to exceed $100,000.
De
Lead Department
Austin Public Health.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $100,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Austin Public Health Department Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund.
For More Information:
Adrienne Sturrup, Director, 512-972-5167; Laura LaFuente, Assistant Director, 512-972-5077; Ashlee Kraus, Acting Social Services Agreements Administration Manager, 512-972-5044; Juanita Jackson, Business Process Consultant, 512-972-6163.
Additional Backup Information:
City Council has a history of boldly supporting reproductive rights. In 2017, Council passed the “Abortion is Healthcare” resolution (Resolution No. 20170126-045) affirming that a woman's right to make the decision to access safe, legal, and affordable abortion is an essential component to healthcare. In 2018, Council passed “Rosie’s Resolution” (Resolution No. 20181004-035) which formally recognized the importance of access to affordable abortion care and called for a repeal of bans on insurance coverage for abortion. More recently, Council passed the “Reproductive Rights are Human Rights” resolution (Resolution No. 20240829-142), which found that reproductive rights are human rights and pregnant persons denied abortion care may be putting their health, fertility, and lives at risk. Council also passed a resolution affirming the City’s commitment to protecting the right of individuals to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions and which found that access to safe and legal abortion is a deciding factor in long-term health, safety, and quality of life (Resolution No. 20220721-002).
This action will authorize the negotiation and execution of a new social services agreement with Jane’s Due Process to provide logistical support for Austin/Travis County residents seeking access to abortion care. The public benefit and public purpose of the agreement is to improve health and wellness outcomes among vulnerable communities in Austin and reduce racial and economic disparities in healthcare access by helping low-income women overcome physical, economic, and other barriers to abortion access. Council approved a budget amendment (Fuentes-4) authorizing funds for Reproductive Healthcare Logistical Support during the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget adoption process.
Logistical support may include support for travel to access abortion care, including support for airfare, gas reimbursement, hotel stays, ride shares, childcare stipends, companion travel, and food. It may also include case management, emotional support, translation services, and any other service that supports a client who is facing barriers to accessing abortion.