Sexual and Reproductive Health

If you are pregnant, you have the right to nonjudgmental, unbiased information about your pregnancy and abortion, and access to services that can help you make a decision. You should know you have three options: being a parent, placing the child for adoption, or ending the pregnancy (abortion). Learn more about Options Counseling or go to Planned Parenthood Pregnancy Testing Services for more information.

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) also offers resources for pregnancy and baby care. Having access to health care before, during, and after pregnancy is essential for a healthy pregnancy. The NYC Nurse-Family Partnership program offers your own personal nurse to support you to have a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby. The Neighborhood Health Services Program can connect you with medical care and breastfeeding support and supplies.

Visit Pregnancy and Baby Care for more information.

You have the right to access abortion services, even if you are placed out of state.

If you are placed out of state and need access to any sexual or reproductive healthcare not available in your state, including abortion, please contact your foster agency or email SRHsupport@acs.nyc.gov

You do not need any adult's consent to receive pregnancy-related services, including abortion. To access abortion services in New York City please contact the NYC Abortion Access Hub at 877-NYC-AHUB (877-692-2482) or via NYC Health Chat.

For abortion services throughout the US, visit INeedanA.com. Abortion Finder, or Planned Parenthood Abortion Access.

You should receive education on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV prevention from your foster care agency. You have the right to access PrEP or Emergency PEP for HIV prevention or exposure, and to see a doctor for STI or HIV testing. To find STI/HIV testing and treatment, please see the "Youth Health Clinics" section below.

You have the right to be respected for who you are and be safe in your foster home, at your provider agency, at school, and at the doctor's office. You have the right to:

• Be addressed by your chosen name and pronouns
• Use private bathrooms and the restroom you want to use
• Wear or use clothing or grooming products that reflect your gender

Go to LGBTQAI+ Equity Strategies for more information.

You have the right to access gender-affirming care, even if you are placed outside of New York State. While you have the right to access LGBTQIA+-affirming services, such as gender-affirming hormone therapy, you may need consent to receive these services. For assistance in navigating care and resources, please speak with your foster agency or case planner.

• LGBTQ Health Care Bill of Rights
• Pride and Care: Health Tips for Transgender, Gender-Nonconforming and Nonbinary People

See Resources below for a list of LGBTQIA+ specific clinics and services available to you, many of which are low- to no-cost!

You have the right to be safe in your relationship. Your provider agency should provide you information about healthy relationships, including knowing what it means to give and receive consent. Consent means that all partners verbally agree to participate in each interaction without pressure or violence.

All youth in foster care who are 12-years-old and older must be told of their right to confidential sexual and reproductive health services within 30 days of entering foster care and every six months thereafter.

You have the right to get your Medicaid Client Identification Number (CIN) or Medicaid Managed Care Plan (MMCP) ID number, so you can access services and resources outside of your foster care agency.

You have the right to sexual and reproductive health information that is nurturing, affirming, and respectful.

New York City Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Bill of Rights

The Newborn Home Visiting Program is a service for all new birthing parents who are engaged with ACS - regardless of age or immigration status.

A health care worker will visit you at home to provide a variety of services, including support for breastfeeding, infant and home safety, and safe sleep. They will speak with you about any concerns and questions you may have, share information, and help you find services your family might need. The visit lasts about an hour.

If you have recently given birth and you are interested, please call 311 and ask about the Newborn Home Visiting Program. You can also call 718-637-5235 for more information.

NYC Nurse-Family Partnership (NYC- NFP) pairs first-time mothers with their own personal nurse, who will provide information, guidance and advice, supporting them to have healthy pregnancies, become knowledgeable and nurturing parents, achieve their own goals-such as continuing their education, developing job skills and giving their children the best possible start in life. NYC-NFP is available at no cost and regardless of your immigration status. All pregnant people up to 28 weeks pregnant are eligible for this program. For more information visit the NYC-NFP website or call 311 and ask for “Nurse-Family Partnership.”

The New Family Home Visits Initiative offers support, services and referrals to new and expectant parents.

Through this initiative, a trained health worker - such as a nurse, doula or community health worker - makes in-person or virtual visits to the home of a new parent who is pregnant or has an infant or young child.

You can call 311 or 718-637-5235 to check if you are eligible.

If you are age 12 years or older, NYC Health + Hospitals offers safe and confidential Youth Health services to adolescents, regardless of ability to pay, immigration status, or sexual orientation.
NYC Health + Hospitals provides the following services:

• STI/HIV Testing and Treatment
• Birth Control
• Emergency Contraception
• Pregnancy Testing
• LGBTQIA+ Care

Please visit NYC Health + Hospitals for up-to-date services and locations.

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) offers information and resources about sexual and reproductive health. The NYC Sexual Health Clinics provide low-to-no cost sexual health services.
Most services are provided on a walk-in basis though appointments can be made for select services (check site for details). Patients are encouraged to come as early as possible, as wait times do vary on location. Young people, who are 12 or up can receive the following services:

• Testing and treatment of STIs
• HIV prevention, testing, and treatment  
• Medication Abortion (Jamaica, Morrisania and Central Harlem clinics only)
• Reproductive health services including pregnancy testing and birth control
• Vaccinations including HPV, Hep A and B, Meningitis, and Mpox for patients receiving other sexual health services

Visit the Sexual Health Clinics page for additional information and locations.

Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center's unique, New York City-based program delivers comprehensive, integrated medical and mental health services and prevention education to young people aged 10 to 26, all under one roof and at no cost to patients.

At the Adolescent Health Center, young people can find a wide range of services specially designed for their needs, including:

• Primary health care
• Counseling, support, mental health and family therapy
• Sexual and reproductive health
• Nutrition, fitness and wellness programs

Please visit Mount Sinai-Adolescent Health Center for up-to-date services and locations. To make an appointment for SRH services, please call 212-423-3000.

Planned Parenthood provides high-quality inclusive and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services to all New Yorkers with respect and compassion. Available services include:

• Abortion Services
• Birth Control
• Emergency Contraception
• Hormone Replacement Therapies
• Pregnancy Testing
• STI/HIV Services

Please visit Planned Parenthood for up-to-date services and locations. Virtual Health Center appointments are also available.