Dear Editor,
The Planned Parenthood Shasta Pacific Action Fund is pleased to endorse Tomi Van de Brooke for Contra Costa County Supervisor. She is a strong supporter of family planning services and preventive health care, including abortion, contraception, cancer screenings and STD testing and treatment, as well as comprehensive sexuality education.
We make endorsements in these races because County Supervisors impact funding and access for Planned Parenthood services. We have partnerships with a number of county health departments in the 17 counties we serve. In Contra Costa, this partnership allows us to provide prenatal services to low income women. We have also received county funding (although not in Contra Costa) to provide comprehensive sexuality education and HIV prevention services and case management services for pregnant and parenting teens.
In other counties, we have asked for help with protestors who are harassing our clients. A Planned Parenthood champion on a Board of Supervisors can affect funding and provide an important partnership so the county’s constituents can access the essential health care services and information they need. A Supervisor who does not support Planned Parenthood can hurt such collaboration.
In 2009, the Orange County Board of Supervisors rejected tobacco settlement funding to the Planned Parenthood breast health center. Amidst a public outcry, they had to reverse their decision.
We are proud that Contra Costa County does not act like Orange County. Contra Costa County supports Planned Parenthood. We have endorsed Tomi Van de Brooke because we know she will keep it that way.
Sincerely yours,
Heather Saunders Estes
President and CEO
Planned Parenthood Shasta Pacific Action Fund
