— Former Governor Jack Markell

Delaware CAN
Delaware CAN (Contraceptive Access Now) is a partnership between Upstream and the state of Delaware aimed at reducing the rate of unintended pregnancy.
Small state. Big idea.
Launched in 2014, our comprehensive, statewide plan is increasing access for all women in Delaware to the full range of contraceptive methods, including the most effective, IUDs and implants. Upstream provides the training, technical assistance, and quality improvement to all publicly funded health centers and the largest private providers in the state.
Our goal is to improve public health by creating an environment where the women of Delaware are empowered to become pregnant only if and when they want to.
"I’ve come to believe that helping women achieve their own goals and become pregnant only when they want to may be one of the most important things we can do in this regard. There are very, very few times when you can create better outcomes, save money, and create opportunity all at once – and this is one of those rare times. And if we get it right, we have a chance to catalyze a national movement that could have a profoundly positive effect for generations.”
How we’re increasing access to contraception in Delaware:
Providing training and technical assistance to all publicly funded healthcare providers and the largest private healthcare providers in the state to ensure their patients are offered the full range of contraceptive methods in a single appointment.
Working with state agencies to ensure that there are no policy barriers to all women getting same-day access to all methods of birth control, at low or no cost.
Increasing public knowledge and awareness of contraceptive options and where low or no cost contraception can be obtained through public education campaigns.
Creating a rigorous, independent evaluation of the impact of Delaware CAN so that the impact of our work, including health outcomes and related cost savings, can be understood both in and outside of Delaware.
Participating health care providers:
- Adolescent Resource Center, Children & Families First
- All About Women
- Bayhealth Medical Center
- Bayside Health Association
- Bear Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
- Beebe Women’s Health
- The Birth Center, Holistic Women’s Health Care LLC
- Brandywine Women’s Health
- Children and Families First Delaware: Nurse Home Visitor Programs
- Christiana Care Health System
- Dedicated to Women
- Delaware Division of Public Health
- Delaware Ob Gyn and Women’s Health
- Delaware Center of Excellence in Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Henrietta Johnson Medical Center
- Khan Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates
- La Red Health Center
- Life Health Center
- Nanticoke Memorial Hospital
- Nanticoke Physician Network – Women’s Health
- Nemours
- Office of Dr. Janice Tildon-Burton
- Planned Parenthood of Delaware
- University of Delaware Nurse Managed Primary Care Center
- Westside Family Healthcare