SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Health departments and non-profit agencies across the state will get investments for improving their reproductive healthcare, thanks to a new grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The state is funding $2 million for training grants with the goal of improving access to reproductive care by increasing the number and types of providers reproductive care.

The program hopes to increase the number of trained providers in the state by letting clinicians shadow providers and learn how to safely prescribe abortion medication. Grantees would also have to prioritize trauma-informed and gender-affirming service delivery.

The demand for abortions from out-of-state residents has skyrocketed by 49% in 2022 after Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, according to IDPH data.

State leaders said more training is important for the influx of out-of-state patients Illinois sees.

“Access to a safe abortion depends on the availability of trained providers,” IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said. “Illinois has seen an increased demand for abortion services in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision. Under Governor J.B. Pritzker’s leadership, the State of Illinois is committed to providing resources to improve training and mentorship so our health care providers can deliver Illinoisans and those who come to our state with a full range of reproductive health services.” 

The agency is also working on creating a Reproductive Health Public Navigation Hotline to help people, both in and out-of-state, to navigate care. This is in addition to the CARLA hotline for patients who need hospital care for abortion services, which launched in August.

Applications close for the grant on Feb. 9. The applications will be processed through IDPH’s Electronic Grants Administration and Management System (EGrAMS).