Desert Star Institute for Family Planning, Inc

Our Mission is to create equitable access to reproductive and sexual health care while centering Black and Indigenous people and people of color. We envision a world where just, dignified, and exceptional reproductive health care is available to womb bearing people regardless of circumstance or zip code and is provided by health care professionals who also advocate for reproductive health and justice in their communities.

Through direct services and a multitude of outreach tools, including Hands-on training of future abortion providers, Reproductive Health Lectures, Workshops, Community Events, and Patient Assistance for family planning services; we aim to improve access to information, reproductive health services, and empower people in their decisions regarding reproductive and sexual health and wellness.

Our Priorities:

Priority #1 - Provide just, dignified, and exceptional reproductive and sexual health services, centering communities that have historically faced barriers to care,

Featured Services include: Abortion (by pill and surgical), Birth Control (all non permanent methods), Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy (age 18+), Miscarriage Management, and Pregnancy Dating Ultrasound.

Priority #2 - Train the next generation of abortion providers within a framework that focuses on the whole person and provides a unique understanding of the barriers historically marginalized people may encounter in medical communities where they've felt excluded.

Program: Next Generation of Abortion Providers Program (NGAPP)
We are furthering our mission with this program by:
1) Filling Gaps in Traditional Medical Education.
2) Empowering Reproductive Health Care Advocates by training students within the integrative reproductive justice framework.
3) Cultivating Family Planning Providers.

Trainees schedule 2-4 week rotations for a patient centered approach with a foundation in Reproductive Justice Principles.

Priority #3 - Deliver educational content and programs that help people from historically marginalized communities access reproductive health care and exercise autonomy over their bodies and lives.

Program: Long-Term Birth Control Program
Through partnership with Medicines360 and DirectRelief, we provide the Liletta hormone releasing IUD to uninsured people who meet eligibility criteria. Through fundraising efforts we are able to provide the Nexplanon birth control implant to uninsured people who meet eligibility criteria.

Program: Patient Assistance for Abortion Care
People seeking abortion care at our health justice clinic who are uninsured and meet financial criteria, or who receive state benefits assistance are eligible for funds to offset the fees.

Program: Black Doulas 4 Change
Prepares Black doulas to become reproductive justice advocates and support pregnancy loss and abortion.

Program: Community Education and Engagement
We sponsor and collaborate with community partners to provide educational events and social activities to promote dialogue and learning about reproductive health, rights, and justice.

Priority #4 - Engage, build relationships, and mobilize local policy makers, advocates, and community members directly impacted by harmful policies toward an Arizona that provides the conditions for people to freely decide when and how to form families and raise children.

We are aligned with grassroots social justice organizations to educate and mobilize communities of color around issues of reproductive justice. We have convened coalitions and alliances to advance reproductive justice in Arizona.

Testimonials

Abortion Services

"Dr. Taylor and the whole Desert Star team was absolutely amazing. They are so accepting of people of all identities and backgrounds - and create such a welcoming environment. I was able to get in the same day I called. I felt so safe and supported, all of my questions were answered, given resources to help me through what was going on. I felt so cared for by the whole team - somewhere I will definitely go back to and recommend. I cannot thank this team enough!"

Gender Affirming Services

"Very good experience. All the staff took care to use my pronouns even when they assumed I was out of earshot. Everyone made sure the appointment went smooth and that I was as comfortable as possible."

IUD Access Program

"It has been the most effective birth control that has been available to me. Since I had the IUD inserted I have not had to worry about pregnancy. I am living a more fulfilled life without the concern of unintended pregnancy."

Next Generation Abortion Provider Program

"My clinical rotation with Dr. Taylor and the staff at Desert Star FP was one of the most valuable experiences I had in medical school. I really appreciated every interaction I had with each patient and the ability to grow more comfortable with discussing and administering abortion care and contraception. The work they do here is so important not only for the patients but also for future abortion providers...