Governor DeWine Continues OhioSEE Tour
at Robinwood Lane Elementary School
(BOARDMAN, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, First Lady Fran DeWine, and Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Assistant Director Lance Himes continued a statewide tour today to discuss OhioSEE, a new children’s eyesight program.
While visiting Robinwood Lane Elementary School in Boardman, Governor DeWine met with children who have benefited from comprehensive vision services offered by the OhioSEE program.
“OhioSEE is one of the most important things we are doing for the future of our kids,” said Governor DeWine. “We are making an impact on students at a time when being able to see clearly is absolutely critical to learning. We are bringing services right to the school so every child that needs care is guaranteed to receive it.”
 The Boardman Local School District is one of more than 90 school districts enrolled in OhioSEE, which is bringing comprehensive vision services directly to schools in 15 high-priority counties. Across the school district, more than 130 students in kindergarten through third grade are receiving comprehensive vision services.
“Boardman Schools is so grateful to Governor DeWine for being included in this initial pilot of the OhioSEE program,” said Superintendent Chris Neifer. “We know that our students can only do their best if they are able to clearly see what they’re reading or what their teacher is sharing on the board. Having the resources we need to get glasses to students who need them makes all the difference!”
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.
"We're proud that our decade of work has contributed to this broader vision, and OhioSEE will now help students throughout Ohio," said Dr. Sergul Erzurum, pediatric ophthalmologist and President of Sight for All United. “This program demonstrates that when barriers are removed and effective systems are put in place, every child can have access to the vision care they need to succeed in school and in life."
While in the Youngstown area, Governor DeWine also toured Classic Optical Laboratories, which manufactures and produces more than 1.5 million eyeglasses annually. Classic Optical partners with both Vision to Learn and Western Ohio Health Partners, two of the OhioSEE vendors, to provide eyeglasses for children’s vision services.
“Our optical lab is passionate about serving our community, and we are committed to using our expertise in manufacturing to bring affordable vision solutions to children across Ohio," said Morgan Hartzell, President of Classic Optical.
 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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