KING COUNTY, WA - Take Charge, a new program which extends the coverage of pre-pregnancy family planning services, has received an enormous response from King County residents during its first two months, with close to 2,000 clients applying through Public Health clinics.

"Effective family planning is the best way to avoid unintended pregnancies, and the Take Charge program allows large numbers of women and men to have access to a range of family planning services," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Public Health - Seattle & King County.

To sign up for Take Charge and find a provider near you, please contact:

• a Public Health clinic in King County by calling 206-296-4600.
  
• Washington State's Family Planning Program at 800-770-4334.

Covered services include:

• Annual examinations
• Family planning education and risk reduction counseling
• FDA-approved contraceptive methods, including birth control pills, IUDs and emergency contraception
• Over-the-counter products such as condoms, contraceptive creams or foams
• Sterilization procedures, including vasectomies and tubal ligations

Take Charge is open to both men and women whose family income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and whose current health insurance coverage does not include full family planning benefits. (200% of the federal poverty level is $17,184 for a single person and $35,304 a year for a family of four.)

For more information on family planning, please visit Public Health's Family Planning program at http://www.metrokc.gov/health/famplan