Our Values

Guiding Principles

MFHC is guided by the following principles in prioritizing policies, programs, and endeavors:

• All people deserve quality, affordable healthcare, including accessible reproductive and sexual health services.
• Everyone should have the opportunity to pursue the future they want, including if, when, and under what circumstances to get pregnant.
• MFHC recognizes the historical roots of reproductive oppression and abuses, specifically for people of color, and we work to eliminate racial biases and inequity through challenging systematic oppression and shifting the dynamic of power.
• Our work is concentrated on removing barriers to healthcare while empowering individuals to make decisions that are right for them; while a reduction in abortions or unintended pregnancies is a byproduct of our work, it should not be the sole focus.
• New policies or programs implemented by the organization should lead to real, concrete improvement in people’s lives.
• Those impacted by MFHC’s work should have an opportunity for meaningful input.
• We are motivated and committed to learn, challenge, and improve in a continually changing environment.

Programs

We are proud to lead The Right Time initiative, which seeks to empower every Missourian to take control of their own health by improving information about, and reducing barriers to, contraceptive services. The initiative provides free or low-cost birth control to all who need it, while addressing the persistent health disparities in unintended pregnancy and among marginalized populations. The Right Time is led by MFHC and is an initiative of Missouri Foundation for Health.

Additionally, MFHC is the sole Title X (ten) grantee for the state, receiving funds that are re-granted to health centers throughout Missouri to support the delivery of quality sexual and reproductive health services.

In 2023, MFHC's network served 36,131 adults and teens with high-quality, culturally responsive, affordable sexual and reproductive healthcare services.

Policy & Advocacy

MFHC’s policy and advocacy program seeks to increase health equity and access to quality healthcare by reducing the number of uninsured individuals, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for all Missourians; and, advocating for policies that improve sustainability for safety net health centers.

Collaboration

MFHC recognizes the importance of partnership and alliance in healthcare, which is why our Healthy Families Priorities Coalition works collectively to advance a progressive policy agenda. We also participate in several coalitions to collaborate with organizations and state agencies on issues like streamlining and improving MO HealthNet (Medicaid) and its Women’s Health Services Program, as well as increasing access to sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening and treatment.

Funding

MFHC’s funders and partners are committed to our mission and share our vision of expanding, ensuring, and empowering reproductive and sexual healthcare for all. We are granted federal Title X funds through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Population Affairs; The Right Time is led by MFHC and is an initiative of Missouri Foundation for Health; and we receive funding for our policy and advocacy work through the Health Forward Foundation. We are continually seeking funding opportunities to support our network by leveraging its experience and expertise to increase healthcare access.