(A) A 501 (c) organization that wishes to
obtain funding from the save our sight fund shall respond to a request for
proposals issued by the director. The director shall determine the
appropriateness of, and approve or disapprove projects for funding, and approve
or disapprove the disbursement of money from the save our sight
fund.
(B) Any response to a request for
proposals for grants shall be submitted to the department by the date required
in the request for proposals and shall comply with the procedures outlined in
the department's "Ohio Grants Administrative Policy and
Procedures" (OGAPP), available at
https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/about-us/funding-opportunities/resources/grants-administration-policies-and-procedures-ogapp-manual
under "referenced material."
(C) To be eligible for funding from the
save our sight fund, the applicant must submit:
(1) Proof of 501 (c)
organizational status;
(2) A statement of the
purpose for the use of funds;
(3) Budget proposal for
the use of funds;
(4) Project goals,
objectives, activities, resources, evaluation procedures, demonstrated
experience in the delivery of vision services in all counties of the state,
statewide impact of the project, and letters of support.
(5) Any other information
required by a specific request for proposals.
(D) The director may award funds from the
save our sight fund to a 501 (c) organization that meets the criteria set forth
in paragraph (C) of this rule and submits a proposal for one or more of the
following purposes:
(1) To implement a
voluntary children's vision screener training and certification program
for volunteers, child day-care providers, nurses, teachers, health care
professionals practicing in primary care settings, and others serving
children;
(a) Any screener training and certification program awarded
funding through this program must comply with the department's
requirements for the screening of school-aged children as provided in section
3313.69 of the Revised Code; and, must comply with the department's
preschool vision screening guidelines. The requirements and screening
guidelines are available on the department's website at
https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/children-s-hearing-vision-program/requirements/school-aged-requirement
under "referenced material."
(b) Any screener training and certification program awarded
funding through this program must include, at a minimum:
(i) A method to determine
proficiency of screener skills;
(ii) A four hour minimum
training curriculum; and
(iii) Trainers qualified
through training by department personnel or other qualified vision
professionals or through appropriate experience as determined by the
director.
(2) To provide materials
for the projects implemented under paragraph (D)(1) of this rule.
(3) To provide education
and materials to raise awareness of the value of vision screening, training,
and certification as set forth in paragraph (D)(1) of this rule.
(4) To develop and implement a registry
and targeted voluntary case management system to determine whether children
with amblyopia are receiving professional eye care and to provide their parents
or legal guardians with information and support regarding their child's
vision care. Any registry developed and implemented shall include:
(a) A plan for the creation of the registry;
(b) A plan to recruit eye and other health professionals to
submit cases for the registry;
(c) Assurances of client confidentiality;
(d) Maintenance of accurate registry information;
(e) Development of an educational campaign to raise awareness of
the general public about amblyopia; and,
(f) Providing information and support to parents or legal
guardians of children with amblyopia to include educational materials,
resources and supplemental assistance for vision services such as treatment and
follow-up.
(5) To establish a matching grant program
for the purchase and distribution of protective eyewear to children. Grants
will be matched with ten percent of local agency funding for every save our
sight dollar requested.
(6) To provide vision health and safety
programs and materials for traditional and non-traditional
classrooms.
