Kids Vision for Life

 

Kids Vision for Life is about connecting the dots to address an unrecognized national crisis:  the number of U.S. schoolchildren who have unaddressed vision problems.   According to experts, one in four children has a vision problem and, of those, 90% do not wear glasses.  Children who cannot see well have difficulties reading and learning resulting in consequences for the child, society, and the economy. 

 

Children who cannot see the white board during class soon disengage from learning and are more likely to drop out of school and get into trouble.  Studies indicate as many as three out of four juvenile offenders have undetected or uncorrected vision problems.  Likewise, ninety percent of illiterate adults have vision problems as well.  One cannot help but wonder how the lives of individuals in these circumstances might have changed had they received vision care when they were young children?

 

Kids Vision for Life brings together partners to bring attention to the issue and actively address it. 

 

Our first pilot program launched in Dallas in 2008 with the help of Dallas Independent School District and the Lions Sight and Tissue Foundation and has expanded in the 2009 – 2010 school year.

·        Focuses on vision problems of children from economically-disadvantaged backgrounds by providing free eye exams and glasses

·        A mobile eye clinic visits select elementary schools and eye doctors conduct free eye exams on-site for children who meet eligibility criteria

·        Program served 24 elementary schools during the 2008-2009 school year

·        The program expanded to serve more than 50 elementary schools in 2009 – 2010 school year

 

Kids Vision for Life – Dallas Coalition

 

Kids Vision for Life was created to provide counsel, build community awareness and encourage local investment.

·        The Kids Vision for Life – Dallas Coalition Advisory Board is comprised of government and community leaders including U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Huchinson, Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, and Dallas ISD Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa.  (Click here to view the Advisory Board.)

·        The Dallas Community Coalition brings together organizations with a stake in the well-being of children to heighten the awareness of the issue and create innovative solutions to improve vision care for children.  (Click here to view the Dallas Community Coalition Partners.) 

 

Partner Collaborations

 

Thanks to our partner, the Lions Sight and Tissue Foundation, we conducted mobile clinics at these partner locations.

·        Dallas Public Schools in 2009 – 2010 school year

·        Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center beginning in June 2009

·        Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas beginning in July 2009. 

 

Our vision is to expand Kids Vision for Life to Fort Worth and the DFW area then replicate the program as funding allows throughout the country.

 

Kids Vision for Life – Dallas Coalition

 

Advisory Board

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Honorary Chair

Tom Leppert, Mayor, City of Dallas

Royce West, Texas State Senator

Rafael Anchia, Texas House of Representatives

Dr. Michael Hinojosa, Dallas ISD Superintendent

Brent Christopher, President and CEO Communities Foundation of Texas

Clarke D. Newman, O.D., F.A.O.O.