GBAPS Seeking Vision Experts

GBAPS Seeking Vision Experts to Help Students See & Learn
Posted on 08/26/2021
Student with glasses doing homework Recently, Green Bay Area Public Schools (GBAPS) held a meeting with area optometrists and healthcare decision makers about building a school-based vision program. During the meeting, information was shared about the growing need for vision services to be brought inside the school building to better serve families and students. Each year the Brown County Health team screens over 5,000 students in grades 4K, K, 1, 3, & 5, and every year more than 1,200 students are referred for a vision exam based on this screening. The District has discovered that many students go year-after-year being identified as needing a vision exam without receiving one. School social workers and nurses work hard to get these students access to services, but the needs exceed the District’s capacity and we can’t do this work alone. 

In 2019-20 as part of the Community Schools strategy, a pilot vision program was started at Howe Elementary School. The program served 90+ students and provided more than 100 pairs of glasses! Students served by this program were reported as being more attentive, focused and engaged in the classroom. Their confidence grew as their vision needs were addressed. 

The District, along with our partners at UnitedHealthcare, is seeking the help of our community vision experts and health leaders to join us in bringing the comprehensive vision exam into our school buildings to serve more of our students. Optometrists and clinics could potentially have up to 20 appointments with students per day, with each being a billable appointment, either through the student’s health insurance or through the District’s partnership with UnitedHealthcare. 

If you or your clinic are interested in getting involved, please reach out to Community School Resource Coordinator Diana Delbecchi at 920-448-2129 or [email protected]. We are prioritizing the vision health of all students in Green Bay to make sure they can see both the words on a board and inside a book. Vision is critical for learning!
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