In May of 2017, the Khurshed Bhumgara Fund, a fund of the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, Inc., awarded a grant to Family Strides, Inc.  This grant supported Family Strides, Inc. in partnering with the Every Woman Connecticut Learning Collaborative to bring the “One Key Question” initiative to Northwest Connecticut.  Through this grant Family Strides, Inc. was able to provide materials and training to medical professionals and community providers on the “One Key Question” of “Would you like to become pregnant in the next year?”  The goal of the initiative is to address reproductive health before conception to improve birth outcomes by utilizing the “One Key Question”.  An individuals’ answer directs the information and supports that are provided, such as preconception care, contraceptive care, or a combination of the two. 

Family Strides, Inc. coordinated and facilitated “Lunch and Learns” with area community providers and medical professionals and provided information and resources on the “One Key Question”.  Information and community resources were shared with these providers and all programs agreed to begin to ask the question.   Participants in the Nurturing Families Network state and federally funded programs, Early Head Start program, and Child First Program were asked the “One Key Question” and received information and referrals as appropriate.  Through this program, Family Strides, Inc. was able to develop and strengthen relationships with community providers and medical professionals.

Family Strides, Inc. believes the most important outcome of this project was educating women of childbearing age of the importance of overall good health and wellbeing.  Asking “One Key Question” opened a nonjudgmental dialogue with young women about child spacing, contraception, importance of prenatal care and overall health and wellbeing.