Governor DeWine Continues OhioSEE Tour at Northeastern Elementary School
(SOUTH VIENNA, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, First Lady Fran DeWine, and Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Assistant Director Lance Himes today visited Northeastern Elementary School in Clark County, another school district participating in OhioSEE. Governor DeWine announced the official launch of OhioSEE, a new children’s eyesight program, last month.
“Today really is the perfect example showcasing why OhioSEE is so important,” said Governor DeWine. “Fran and I started the morning reading with kindergarten classes, and we then had the opportunity to see firsthand how OhioSEE is working in the school. For kids to be able to learn to read, they must first be able to see clearly, and OhioSEE is ensuring students are getting the vision care they need.”
 Northeastern Local Schools is one of more than 90 school districts enrolled in the OhioSEE 15-county pilot program. More than 70 students in kindergarten through third grade in the school district are receiving comprehensive vision services, at no cost to the child or the family, through OhioSEE.
ODH identified 15 high-need counties where 80% of children who are identified through a vision screening as needing additional vision care do not receive it. OhioSEE addresses barriers families may face by bringing comprehensive vision services directly to the school. School districts in the pilot program area can select one of two service models that work best for their district:
- A fully equipped mobile vision van that travels to schools on a set schedule, offering convenient on-site vision exams. It also returns to dispense eyeglasses directly to students.
- A “roll-on, roll-off” model involves a team setting up an exam space within school areas, such as classrooms or libraries, providing eye exams and dispensing glasses on-site.
“Many children can struggle with vision problems that affect their ability to learn and participate in the classroom,” said Assistant Director Himes. “That’s why we’re encouraging eligible schools to sign up for this valuable service. OhioSEE aims to help those who require assistance after failing a vision screening by bringing both eye exams and glasses into the school for kids who need them.”
While at Northeastern Elementary School, First Lady Fran DeWine visited a kindergarten class to read a Dolly Parton Imagination Library book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
 Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio mails children one high-quality, age-appropriate book each month until his or her 5th birthday, at no cost to their family. Over 415,000 Ohio children are currently participating in the program. That’s 62% of state's eligible children.
School districts can request more information about joining OhioSEE by completing this form on ODH’s OhioSEE website. After submitting a request, schools will receive a school program packet containing the official enrollment link. Counties included in the pilot project include: Allen, Butler, Clark, Clermont, Cuyahoga, Erie, Franklin, Guernsey, Huron, Jackson, Lorain, Mahoning, Marion, Montgomery, and Ross.
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