Philanthropic Problem-Solvers Webinar Series: Vision To Learn
Transcript of Philanthropic Problem-Solvers Webinar Series: Vision To Learn
Philanthropic Problem-Solvers
Webinar Series:
Vision To Learn November 19, 2014
GLR Campaign
Webinar Team
Lauren Maddox
Director, Investor Relations
Lacy McAlister
Program Assistant, Investor Relations
Susanne SparksSenior Consultant
Network Community Support Centerand webinar organizer
3
2015 Learning OpportunitiesAnticipated
FEBRUARY
• Philanthropic Problem-Solvers Webinar Series
MARCH
• Funder Huddle, The Funders Network, March 16–18
APRIL
• Funder Huddle, Council on Foundations, April 24–28
MAY
• Philanthropic Problem-Solvers Webinar Series
FALL
• Funder Huddle, Grantmakers for Children, Youth and Families (GCYF)
• Funder Huddle, Grantmakers for Education (GFE)
• Funder Huddle, Southeastern Council of Foundations (SECF)
• Funder Huddle, The Collaboration Conference, co-hosted by Grantmakers
for Effective Organizations & Philanthropy Southwest Philanthropic
• Problem-Solvers Webinar Series GLR
• Network Community Regional Meetings
Ralph Smith and Austin Beutner
Vision To Learn Webinar Team
Rebecca Dudovitz, MD, MSPediatrician and health services
researcher, UCLA
Gaye WilliamsExecutive Director, Vision To Learn
Blurry
November, 2014
“…The raw material in the education system—the students themselves—are often overlooked. Might there be some small, simple, cheap intervention that could help millions of students?
"One in four children, it turns out, has subpar eyesight, while a whopping 60 percent of ‘problem learners’ have trouble seeing. If you can't see well, you won't read well, and that makes school extra hard.”
Think Like a FreakSteven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
A “simple, cheap interventionthat could help millions of students…”
• 22% of children nationwide live in households below the Federal Poverty Level
Out of Reach
• 22% of children nationwide live in households below the Federal Poverty Level
• According to research, 95% of 1st
graders in California public schools who need glasses do not have them
Out of Reach
Resources
Healthcare/Access
Opportunity
Transportation
Apprehension
Tackling Barriers
Toolbox for Success
Effects of Uncorrected Vision
• Cognition is hampered− 80% of all learning during a child’s first 12 years is obtained through vision
− Low-income youth suffer disproportionately
• Physical manifestations become evident− Headaches, fatigue, eye strain
− Regular blinking or squinting
• Emotional adjustment is negatively impacted− Lowered levels of comprehension and efficiency
− Demoralization
• Educational attainment is at risk− Avoidance of reading or other close activities
− Decreased participation in class
• Long-term detrimental consequences are probable− Children who are unable to read well by the end of 3rd grade are more likely
to drop out of school
OFFERING A SOLUTION
We bring the clinic and the glasses to the children!
Offering a Solution
Elementary school children are the target population:
Vision correction can confer the biggest advantage to this age group for achieving long-term benefits
Correction can improve learning trajectories, to help kids achieve critical proficiencies (e.g., by 3rd grade)
Approach and DeliveryVision To Learn’s Approach:
Collaborate with school districts, charter schools, and youth organizations in low-income communities—primarily where Title I populations are 70% and higher
Partnered schools or groups perform mandatory vision screenings (e.g., a school nurse); and a parental consent form is sent home for those children who fail or are recommended for further evaluation
Schedule site visit by our mobile eye clinics
Our trained doctors and opticians conduct complete eye exam, free of charge
Students select and get fitted for frames
Dispense new glasses to the kids for free!
As a result of our services, over 125,000 kids have been screened for vision impairment:
Schools Visited 322
Community Organizations Visited 102
Kids Screened 125,200
Kids Examined 26,058
Glasses Provided 20,182
Widespread Need
More than 26,000 children have had eye exams
More than 20,000 children have been given eyeglasses
Research Findings/Impact Analysis
Among those sampled, 92% of teachers and 90% of parents agree that without Vision To Learn their kids would not have glasses other wise
Math GPA among All Students Reading GPA among All Students
Vision To Learn achieves positive change:
Research Findings/Impact Analysis
Classroom behavior steadied
Self-esteem and focus improved
Confidence gained
Quality of life bettered
Kids empowered
Sustainability
Public-Private Partnership is Key:25% Philanthropy + 75% Medicaid Reimbursement
2012 – 2014
25,000 children helped
100% of funding providedby Philanthropy
Long-Term
1,000,000 children helped
$25mm in Philanthropy
$75mm in Medicaid
25% 75%
Replicability
Successful pilot Evidence of positive impact
Medicaid reimbursement Public-private partnership
A “simple, cheap interventionthat could help millions of students…”
An instrument tried and true, in use for centuries
“If you can’t see, well, you won’t read well, and that makes school extra hard”