By Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), visited Hopewell Elementary of Dublin City School District to discuss OhioSEE and celebrate its future expansion into more counties statewide.
OhioSEE is Governor DeWine’s new children’s eyesight program, which brings comprehensive vision services directly to schools serving kindergarten through third grade students in 15 high-need counties. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) identified the pilot program counties in Ohio where 80% of children who are identified through a vision screening as needing additional vision care do not receive it.
In December, Governor DeWine announced that a portion of Ohio’s Rural Health Transformation Program Award from CMS and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services would be used expand OhioSEE into more rural communities outside the current 15-county pilot program area.
“I am grateful to Dr. Oz and the Trump Administration for this funding so that more Ohioans can receive expanded access necessary health care,” said Governor DeWine.
“Thanks to this funding, more elementary school students will be getting comprehensive eye exams, and if needed, glasses, through our OhioSEE model, which we know is working.”
“If we want kids to see their full potential, we have to make sure they can see their textbooks and blackboards first,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.
“That’s why I’m proud to join Governor DeWine in Dublin today to celebrate the expansion of OhioSEE through the Rural Health Transformation Program that will help bring quality care closer to home for young Ohioans who need it most.”
“Governor DeWine’s commitment to Ohio’s children has been a defining priority throughout his administration, and programs like OhioSEE reflect a shared belief that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed in school,” said Dr. John Marschhausen, Superintendent of Dublin City Schools.
“Vision plays a critical role in learning, confidence, and overall well-being. Dublin City Schools is grateful to partner in this effort to help remove barriers for students and connect families with important support services.”
OhioSEE brings comprehensive eye exams and, if needed, glasses directly into schools, eliminating barriers that prevent families from receiving critical follow up vision services. School districts in the pilot program area can select one of two service models that work best for their district:
- A fully equipped mobile vision van that travels to schools on a set schedule, offering convenient on-site vision exams. It also returns to dispense eyeglasses directly to students.
- A “roll-on, roll-off” model involves a team setting up an exam space within school areas, such as classrooms or libraries, providing eye exams and dispensing glasses on-site.
“Children with vision problems are at a higher risk for falling behind in the classroom, especially as they’re learning to read, write, and interact with classmates,” said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff., ODH Director.
“OhioSEE offsets that risk by providing children with free vision screenings and if needed, glasses in school. We encourage eligible schools to give all their students this opportunity by signing up for OhioSEE.”
School districts can request more information about joining OhioSEE by completing this form on ODH’s OhioSEE website. After submitting a request, schools will receive a school program packet containing the official enrollment link. Counties included in the pilot project are Allen, Butler, Clark, Clermont, Cuyahoga, Erie, Franklin, Guernsey, Huron, Jackson, Lorain, Mahoning, Marion, Montgomery, and Ross.
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