Early Detection of Vision Problems in Young Children

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This announcement solicits applications for Early Detection of Vision Problems in Young Children.   The purpose of this grant program is to increase the detection and diagnosis of visual impairment in children aged five (5) years and younger in five (5) States by enhancing the capacity of the State public health agencies to use and apply quality improvement principles and practices to implement universal vision screening for preschool-aged children.  Funds will be provided to a single entity to convene a learning collaborative comprised of five States to work together jointly to identify challenges, interventions, implementation, and measurement related to implementing universal vision screening for preschool-aged children.  To facilitate collaborative learning and quality improvement efforts, the awardee may ask each of the five participating States to consider forming a vision screening quality improvement team.  The optimal team would include representatives from the State Title V program, State early childhood and education programs, State health surveillance and information systems (e.g., immunization registry), community health centers, pediatric primary and vision specialty care, and family organizations.  The awardee may convene the State teams to apply rapid test cycles to increase coordination among the relevant State agencies, providers, and community organizations to support the tracking, disseminating, and spreading of innovative and promising practices necessary to achieve the program purpose. Program Aim: By 2018, increase by 20 percent over 2011-2012 levels, the proportion of children aged five (5) years and younger who receive vision screening and diagnosis in five (5) States according to the National Survey of Children¿s Health measure. http://www.childhealthdata.org/learn/NSCH To accomplish the program purpose and aim, it is expected the awardee will: ·         Establish a multidisciplinary project advisory group made up of stakeholders including families and experts who have specialty background and experience in vision screening and diagnosis; ·         Provide opportunities including a sufficient number of learning sessions, for participating States to dialogue, share experiences, and learn from each other and national experts; ·         Establish an online platform to facilitate communication, learning, and knowledge transfer across State teams.  Provide to participating State teams technical assistance in applying quality improvement methodologies to achieve the following: o   strengthen Statewide partnerships and collaboration among key stakeholders, including families, pediatric primary and specialty care clinicians, early childhood and education programs; o   address access to screening and diagnosis in hard to reach communities, including rural and Tribal communities and underserved populations; o   identify a strategy for tracking and reporting screening results; develop a balance of measures such as outcome, process and balancing for monitoring progress; and provide a plan for dissemination and diffusion of promising practices.

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