Cleveland to Expand Reproductive Health Services Through State Grant
The Cleveland Department of Public Health is expanding its reproductive health services and clinic availability through a new state-funded initiative. City Council has passed emergency ordinance 592-2026, which authorizes the Director of Public Health to apply for and accept $417,000 per year from the Ohio Department of Health to fund the Title X Program.
What's in the file
According to the 592-2026-A File & Legislative Summary, the legislation aims to improve the well-being of women, men, and children by increasing healthcare access and supporting reproductive life planning. The grant is specifically intended to provide contraceptive services, supplies, and information to low-income and underserved populations.
The authorization includes several operational changes and provisions:
- Increasing Reproductive Health Clinic hours and expanding access to a broader range of family planning methods.
- Providing preventative services such as preconception counseling and natural family planning education.
- Utilizing expanded lab services for more comprehensive testing within the clinics.
- Authorizing the Director to charge and accept fees and enter into agreements with Medicare, Medicaid, and other third-party insurers.
- Allowing the department to enter into contracts with partners including The MetroHealth System, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, Lamar Advertising Company, Commuter advertising, E-Clinical Works, and UpToDate.
The program's current service reach includes:
| Service Category | Patient Count |
|---|---|
| Total patients seen to date | 4000 |
| Patients at RH clinics | 2967 |
| Outreach event attendees | 1033 |
| Telehealth visits | 455 |
| Contraceptives dispensed/administered | 2956 |
Who may be affected
- Low-income and underserved populations: Target groups for contraceptive services and family planning information.
- Adolescents, women of reproductive age, and men: Recipients of enhanced patient education and preventative services.
- Cleveland Department of Public Health: The department managing the grant and clinical expansions.
- The MetroHealth System and Cuyahoga County Board of Health: Contracted entities to help implement the program.
- Local residents using recreation centers: Individuals accessing weekly urine-based testing clinics.
Status and timeline
- May 7, 2026: Ordinance 592-2026 was introduced.
- May 29, 2026: The ordinance was recorded in the City Record as passed.
The ordinance is currently in effect as an emergency measure.
Residents can verify these details by reviewing the official 592-2026-A File & Legislative Summary.
Source record
- File
- 592-2026
- Type
- Emergency Ordinance
- Status
- Passed
- Committee
- City Council
- Introduced
- May 6, 2026
Official documents
- 592-2026 Ap & Ac Title X Program, w_ Dir Ks, Req K, Advertising
- 592-2026-A File & Legislative Summary
- 592-2026 FINAL VERSION-CITY RECORD MAY 29, 2026 PG. 47