Tri-county children learn about vision safety through grant

AVON PARK - The Heartland Rural Health Network Inc. just wrapped up a year long renewal grant in the amount of $9,978 from the National Eye Institute. The NEI recognizes the importance of strengthening the capabilities of community-based organizations to develop innovative eye health education and promotion projects. The Healthy Vision Community Awards Program provides grants to stimulate collaborative initiatives that support the vision objectives in Healthy People 2010.

This grant opportunity allowed the Heartland Rural Health Network Inc. and the Redlands Christian Migrant Association to collaboratively work to implement a vision safety curriculum into RCMA's 15 schools in Highlands, DeSoto and Hardee counties. The curriculum entitled "Play It Safe With Your Eyes!" is the only comprehensive video education program geared towards children 5 and under. The curriculum includes games, story-telling, and puppetry which enhance educational messages on children's vision safety.

"Kids are able to learn how to be safe with their eyes through a fun and exciting educational process. We are also able to reach out to their parents to share safety tips on eye injury prevention," said Kelly J. Johnson, the Network's health planning director. "RCMA did a tremendous job implementing this educational program in their centers."

The grant provided funding to purchase hard bound books, games, puppets, play glasses/goggles, and other items to enhance the curriculum's messages on vision safety for young children. RCMA provided 421 children and 126 parents in the tri-county area with vision safety education. For more information contact Heartland Rural Health Network, Inc. at 452-6530.


Source: http://www.newssun.com/news/0111-vision-safety-txt