U Care, Inc. is teaming up with Provide to offer training to help women with pregnancy matters.
The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 7 at the Sampson Community College, Occupational Building, 1801 Sunset Ave., Clinton.
Its goal is to educate participants on helping women experiencing unintended pregnancies. Domestic violence and sexual assault advocates, health professionals, case managers and other professionals are invited to attend. Assistance will be provided by supplying resources to point people in the right direction to provide assistance.
Laura Patlan, a sexual assault and Latin victims advocate for U Care, is looking forward to helping people through the session. Sunny Wilkins, administrative assistant and victim advocate brought the program to Sampson County. Wilkins learned about it while attending a conference with U Care Director Pam Gonzalez.
“We’re hoping that our community partners and ourselves gain a new insight on providing assistance to individuals who come into our offices,” Patlan said.
The training objectives include learning about a simple model for effective referral-making; finding referrals that respect confidentially and decision making; understanding barriers for women and access to reproductive health care; and providing education and a toolkit for advocates dealing with clients with unintended pregnancies.
U Care, Inc. is Sampson County’s agency to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. In 2017, more than 330 new clients were served. The total amount of secondary victims is estimated at 845. U Care opened opened it emergency shelter program in 1997 and later added intervention programs to help dealing with domestic violence situations. Some of the assistance includes a 24-hour crisis line, treatment programs, crisis intervention, support groups and help for victims of sexual assault.
Provide, a nonprofit organization works with health care professionals. Its Referrals Program is now in its fifth year and trains more than 3,000 health and social service providers throughout 10 states. Assistance is provided for unintended pregnancy or abortion care.
For more information or to RSVP, contact U Care officials at 910-596-0931 or by email at [email protected].