The Focus Forward Oklahoma Program: A description of the planning, development, and implementation of a statewide contraceptive access initiative

OBJECTIVE: Describe the planning, development, and implementation of the Focus Forward Oklahoma Program, a statewide contraceptive access initiative focused on increasing access to the full range of contraceptive options through three strategies: 1) policy change, 2) communication, and 3) workforce development. STUDY DESIGN: An implementation science framework was used for planning, development, and implementation. Planning and development included four components: 1) establishing an advisory committee, 2) conducting a needs assessment, 3) developing primary strategies, and 4) identifying baseline metrics. Implementation used iterative action cycles to continually assess and adapt implementation to ensure success. RESULTS: Eighteen policy issues were identified with 14 resolved as of publication. The communication strategy resulted in collaboration among organizations, alignment of priorities, and the development of training materials, guidance documents, and a resource library. Workforce development resulted in 663 clinicians receiving contraceptive access training. CONCLUSIONS: The planning, development, and implementation of the program demonstrates that implementation science-based efforts can produce strategies that address systemic barriers to contraceptive access. Aligning payer policies, coalition-building, and responsive training are all key activities of the program and process adaptations and lessons learned have contributed to the continued viability of the program. IMPLICATIONS: Increasing contraceptive access requires a multifaceted approach in which key barriers are addressed. Clinicians can contribute to addressing access via their personal practice and through participation in broader programs such as this one.