Founded in Chattanooga in 2013, we’ve spent over a decade removing barriers to contraception, because where you live or your personal circumstances should never determine your access to care.
We remove barriers to contraception through education, outreach, and access to free birth control.
Everyone has a right to knowledge about how their bodies work.
When individuals have access to accurate information and contraception, they are better equipped to make decisions right for them and their family.
Health services should be provided free of judgment in a caring, respectful, and safe manner.
Every individual should be able to select the birth control method that is best for them.
Our journey began when ASAC Founder Rachel Schulson and a group of passionate women recognized the lack of educational resources on birth control in Chattanooga. In 2013, Rachel learned about a successful program in Memphis led by Claudia Haltom, who started A Step Ahead Foundation to address unintended pregnancies in her area.
Inspired by that model, Rachel collaborated with Claudia to establish A Step Ahead Chattanooga. Today, six A Step Ahead affiliates in Tennessee operate independently and ASAC was the first to expand beyond state lines.
Rachel Schulson establishes ASAC to expand access to free birth control in the Chattanooga area, initially serving only Hamilton County.
We introduced free condom delivery by mail, making contraception more accessible without requiring an appointment or clinic visit.
ASAC became the first A Step Ahead affiliate to cross state lines, extending services into Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama and growing our service area to 18 counties.
In partnership with a telehealth provider, we began offering birth control pills delivered directly to clients’ doors, no clinic visit required. This helps remove barriers for people who may not be able to travel to a clinic or who prefer a method that fits more easily into their daily lives.
A Step Ahead Chattanooga reached the milestone of providing access to free birth control to over 10,000 people across our service area.
Free birth control is available to anyone who lives or goes to school in our 18-county service area.
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