Colorado Combats Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C) through Community and Clinical Partnership and Education

The Colorado Department of Human Services (Colorado Refugee Services Program) (CRSP) will implement the Colorado Combats Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C) through Community and Clinical Partnership and Education project to serve Denver/Aurora, Colorado Springs, and Greeley/Ft. Morgan (Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, El Paso, and Weld counties). The project will conduct community outreach, engagement and education to reduce the risk of FGM/C and improve community member knowledge of: biology and physiology of FGM/C; cultural norms and issues; religion and its connection to FGM/C; family dynamics and support systems; women’s empowerment, and legal parameters of FGM/C in the U.S. Project staff will enhance the referral to FGM/C-related care and resources. An information campaign to patients and providers on how to refer to specialty care and what and educate and coordinate with stakeholders. CRSP will create and deliver standardized FGM/C training to health professions students, medical specialty groups and other providers. Training in complex defibulation and clitoral reconstruction will be provided to up to four OB/GYN providers. The project goal is to increase services available for specialized FGM/C-related care of affected women/girls. CA/NCF