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Prevent Blindness Ohio
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Columbus, OH (November 12, 2010) -Prevent Blindness Ohio applauds the announcement of up to $335 million for existing community health centers to expand health services including vision and eye health care. The new funding is available through the Expanded Services (ES) initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Prevent Blindness America and its network of affiliates, including Prevent Blindness Ohio, have been working with community partners to lead the charge for inclusion of vision and eye health services in community health centers. In 2003, Prevent Blindness Ohio (PBO) began a partnership to expand vision services within Columbus Neighborhood Health Centers, Inc. and their vision clinic at East Central Neighborhood Health Center . This community health center-based vision clinic is only one of three of its type out of more than 150 community health center sites in the state. With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the goal was develop a model for other federally qualified health centers to utilize in establishing or expanding vision care services for both children and adults. Community Research Partners, Inc. published a study detailing key findings, lessons learned and conclusions regarding this collaborative effort entitled, “Vision Care Services at Columbus Neighborhood Health Centers: Lessons Learned Using a Collaborative Approach in Franklin County, Ohio”.
One of the report’s key findings was the need for prioritizing vision care services by funding sources for community health centers. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has made increased access to vision care services for underserved populations a priority for FY 2011 and is offering funding through the Expanded Services (ES) initiative to establish or expand vision care services.
Prevent Blindness Ohio encourages community health centers across the state to take advantage
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