Kids Welcome Here And POA Member Survey Results
About Kids Welcome Here ®
Kids Welcome Here is a multi-pronged education campaign designed by the Pennsylvania Optometric Association (POA) to increase the number of children who receive eye examinations from optometrists. The campaign is based on the premise that educated parents will take their children for early, regular comprehensive eye examinations. Further, optometrists are the key to providing the necessary education to parents and others who provide care to children.
Kids Welcome Here consists of five major elements:
- Materials for optometrists to use to educate their patients who have children about the importance of early, regular eye examinations;
- Materials educating school nurses about the importance of regular eye exams for school-aged children;
- Continuing education in pediatric vision care for optometrists;
- Consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to revise the commonwealth’s procedures for school vision screenings; and
- Three education programs for school nurses regarding 1) the revised school vision screening program; 2) general eye health issues; and 3) contact lens care.
Printed Materials Available to POA Members
The POA has available the following printed materials available at no charge to POA members.
- Kids Welcome Here® Poster
- Kids Welcome Here® Brochure
- White Pupil/Retinoblastoma Flyer
Materials can be requested by emailing Kelsey@poaeyes.org or calling (717) 233-6455. The "White Pupil/Retinoblastoma" flyer can also be downloaded.
Additional Achievements Through Kids Welcome Here Programming
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In 2004, the POA/VCI added the national InfantSEE ®program to its overall Kids Welcome Here campaign. InfantSEE is a public health initiative of the American Optometric Association to offer a one-time FREE eye and vision assessment to infants under the age of one year. Four hundred and fifty Pennsylvania optometrists across the state have volunteered to provide this public health service.
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Developed a relationship with the Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners, providing education at statewide meetings.
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Developed a relationship with the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind and its member agencies to educate Prevention of Blindness staff that provide vision screenings for pre-schoolers about the revised screening procedures. We continue to work with PAB to standardize the organization's pre-school screenings and referral criteria.
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Worked with the Governor's Office to ensure that pediatric vision care was included in Governor Ed Rendell's Cover All Kids initiative, which resulted in the expansion of Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to cover all uninsured children through the age of 19 regardless of family income. The POA partnered with CHIP to develop materials highlighting the vision care benefit.
Licensing to State Optometric Associations
State optometric associations that are interested in using POA’s Kids Welcome Here® (KWH) materials in their state can license the program from POA. Eleven states, in addition to PA, have licensed Kids Welcome Here.
The license allows a state association to purchase the following printed KWH materials from the POA:
- Kids Welcome Here® Poster
- Kids Welcome Here® Brochure
Materials, which must be purchased through the POA, are personalized for each state, including the name, logo, address, etc. of the state association as well as the name and logo of a sponsor (if appropriate).
Education Programs for Optometrists to Present to School Nurses & Teachers
The POA has developed three programs to educate school nurses and teachers. All programs, which are available free on CD for members, consist of a PowerPoint presentation, script and handouts. To request the CD, please email Kelsey@poaeyes.org.
Children's Vision: A Guide for School Nurse & Teachers
The POA has available an exclusive education program, Children’s Vision: A Guide for School Nurses & Teachers, that is available for members to present to school nurses, teachers, parents, civic groups or any others who provide care to children. This program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health for two hours of Act 48 continuing education credits.
School Vision Screening Procedures
After working with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to revise the school vision screening procedures that were implemented in September 2002, the POA developed an education program for school nurses to provide training on the revised screening program.
Contact Lens Program
This program teaches nurses about the different types of contact lenses, the pros and cons of specific lens use, and solutions and cleaners. The presentation includes visuals to assist in the insertion and removal of contact lenses as well as images showing certain eye problems associated with contacts.
About Kids Welcome Here®
Kids Welcome Here is a multi-pronged education campaign designed by the Pennsylvania Optometric Association (POA) to increase the number of children who receive eye examinations from optometrists. The campaign is based on the premise that educated parents will take their children for early, regular comprehensive eye examinations. Further, optometrists are the key to providing the necessary education to parents and others who provide care to children.
Kids Welcome Here consists of five major elements:
- Materials for optometrists to use to educate their patients who have children about the importance of early, regular eye examinations;
- Materials educating school nurses about the importance of regular eye exams for school-aged children;
- Continuing education in pediatric vision care for optometrists;
- Consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to revise the commonwealth’s procedures for school vision screenings; and
- Three education programs for school nurses regarding 1) the revised school vision screening program; 2) general eye health issues; and 3) contact lens care.
Printed Materials Available to POA Members
The POA has available the following printed materials available at no charge to POA members.
- Kids Welcome Here® Poster
- Kids Welcome Here® Brochure
- White Pupil/Retinoblastoma Flyer
Materials can be requested by emailing Kelsey@poaeyes.org or calling (717) 233-6455. The "White Pupil/Retinoblastoma" flyer can also be downloaded.
Additional Achievements Through Kids Welcome Here Programming
-
In 2004, the POA/VCI added the national InfantSEE®program to its overall Kids Welcome Here campaign. InfantSEE is a public health initiative of the American Optometric Association to offer a one-time FREE eye and vision assessment to infants under the age of one year. Four hundred and fifty Pennsylvania optometrists across the state have volunteered to provide this public health service.
-
Developed a relationship with the Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners, providing education at statewide meetings.
-
Developed a relationship with the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind and its member agencies to educate Prevention of Blindness staff that provide vision screenings for pre-schoolers about the revised screening procedures. We continue to work with PAB to standardize the organization's pre-school screenings and referral criteria.
-
Worked with the Governor's Office to ensure that pediatric vision care was included in Governor Ed Rendell's Cover All Kids initiative, which resulted in the expansion of Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to cover all uninsured children through the age of 19 regardless of family income. The POA partnered with CHIP to develop materials highlighting the vision care benefit.
Licensing to State Optometric Associations
State optometric associations that are interested in using POA’s Kids Welcome Here® (KWH) materials in their state can license the program from POA. Eleven states, in addition to PA, have licensed Kids Welcome Here.
The license allows a state association to purchase the following printed KWH materials from the POA:
- Kids Welcome Here® Poster
- Kids Welcome Here® Brochure
Materials, which must be purchased through the POA, are personalized for each state, including the name, logo, address, etc. of the state association as well as the name and logo of a sponsor (if appropriate).
Education Programs for Optometrists to Present to School Nurses & Teachers
The POA has developed three programs to educate school nurses and teachers. All programs, which are available free on CD for members, consist of a PowerPoint presentation, script and handouts. To request the CD, please email Kelsey@poaeyes.org.
Children's Vision: A Guide for School Nurse & Teachers
The POA has available an exclusive education program, Children’s Vision: A Guide for School Nurses & Teachers, that is available for members to present to school nurses, teachers, parents, civic groups or any others who provide care to children. This program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health for two hours of Act 48 continuing education credits.
School Vision Screening Procedures
After working with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to revise the school vision screening procedures that were implemented in September 2002, the POA developed an education program for school nurses to provide training on the revised screening program.
Contact Lens Program
This program teaches nurses about the different types of contact lenses, the pros and cons of specific lens use, and solutions and cleaners. The presentation includes visuals to assist in the insertion and removal of contact lenses as well as images showing certain eye problems associated with contacts.
