Ohio's Governor Mike DeWine, alongside First Lady Fran DeWine and Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Assistant Director Lance Himes, recently continued their statewide tour to speak about OhioSEE, the new initiative geared towards improving children's vision. The team made a stop at Robinwood Lane Elementary School in Boardman, where they interacted with students who have already begun to benefit from the comprehensive vision services offered by the program.
"OhioSEE is one of the most important things we are doing for the future of our kids," DeWine stated. "We are making an impact on students at a time when being able to see clearly is absolutely critical to learning." The Governor emphasized that by providing services directly in schools, they aim to ensure every child needing care can promptly receive it. The Boardman Local School District is just one of more than 90 districts enrolled in OhioSEE, which brings these vital services to schools across 15 high-priority counties. In Boardman alone, upwards of 130 students from kindergarten through third grade are already getting comprehensive vision help.
Superintendent Chris Neifer expressed gratitude for the district's inclusion in the OhioSEE pilot. "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," Neifer told the Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's news outlet. "Having the resources we need to get glasses to students who need them makes all the difference!"
OhioSEE has introduced two service models for school districts to choose from, depending on what best fits their needs. The first is a fully equipped mobile vision van that travels to schools on a set schedule, allowing for convenient on-site vision exams, with a follow-up to dispense glasses directly to the students. The "roll-on, roll-off" model, however, involves a team to swiftly set up an exam space within school areas such as classrooms or libraries for 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," Dr. Sergul Erzurum, pediatric ophthalmologist and President of Sight for All United, shared in an interview. Erzurum underscored that with barriers removed and effective systems in place, every child can access the necessary vision care to succeed academically and beyond.
In addition to school visits, Governor DeWine toured Classic Optical Laboratories in the Youngstown area. The laboratory, which produces over 1.5 million eyeglasses annually, partners with OhioSEE vendors such as Vision to Learn and Western Ohio Health Partners to provide eyeglasses for children's vision programs. "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," Morgan Hartzell, President of Classic Optical, told the news release.
School districts interested in joining OhioSEE can request further information by completing a form on the ODH’s OhioSEE website. Upon submission, schools will receive a program packet containing the official enrollment link. The pilot project currently covers a variety of counties including Allen, Butler, Clark, and several others, paving the way for a brighter future for Ohio's students.
