A Step Ahead Foundation

When I called to make an appointment the representative was very friendly and helpful. I called on a Monday and was able to get a Thursday appointment per my request. I was happy to find out that the clinics also offerend evening and weekend appointments and I didn’t have to take off from work. I do not have private or state funded insurance. I was reassured that I would have NO out of pocket expenses! This was amazing because there isn’t really any help available for people who actually TRY to be self sufficient. Birth control is expensive and so are children. A Step Ahead is doing a great thing by offering this service to all of the women of Shelby County! Even if you have private insurance, A Step Ahead will cover your copay or any other
The representative asked where I was located and together we decided that a location closer to my job would be better for me. She offered me a free transportation service that I didn’t need. but would be great for those who do.
My appointment was made for after 5pm at the Christ Community Healthcare Center on Union. I brought a book because I was prepared to have a lengthy wait. I didn’t even make it to the waiting room! As soon as I had signed in, my nurse was escorting me to be seen by the doctor. There was literally had NO wait time for anything!
I’d definitely reccomend A Step Ahead for this service!
Everyone I encountered was friendly!

A Step Ahead Foundation is a service to provide free long term reversible birth control to women in Shelby County. If you have a Shelby County address, you automatically qualify for the service.
The foundation works with numerous clinics in the area and will pay for you to consult a doctor and have one of three birth control options put in: a 3 year hormonal implant in the arm, a 3 year hormone IUD (intro-​utarine device), or a 10 year copper IUD without hormones.
I personally would not have had the cash available to get one of these, so A Step Ahead was a real blessing. I called their phone line (320-​STEP) and the person who picked up assisted me immediately with making an appointment and answered all my questions. She even offered their free transportation service, which I didn’t need, but this service really goes above and beyond to make sure girls get what they need.
The lady on the line asked me where I was located, and helped me make an appointment with the nearest clinic. The day of my appointment, I went in, and although I waited for about two hours to see the doctor and was there a total of three, I’ve had this happen with plenty of doctors and considering it was free I wasn’t about to complain.
The doctor was very helpful – he explained all the medical information and helped me pick the appropriate birth control. I ended up going with one in my arm, which didn’t hurt much at all. It was a simple procedure akin to getting a shot, but it lasts for three years. So if you’re at the doctor and they’re suggesting this one, don’t be afraid just because it goes under your skin. Yea, it sounds weird, and potentially painful, but it was really very quick and easy and hardly painful at all.
I have insurance so the clinic needed my insurance card but the copay, which would have been 60 $, was covered by A Step Ahead. A Step Ahead also covers any cost if you don’t have insurance at all.
I would highly recommend this service to any girl in Shelby county who is even considering being sexually active. Its easier than the pill because you don’t have to remember to take it, and I think A Step Ahead is doing a really great thing by making this readily available regardless of income.