Thanks to the Better Beginnings Home Visitations programs and the SPOT Vision Screener, vision testings will now be more accessible for tribal members.
2/20/2018
The Better Beginnings Home Visitation consists of three programs: Chahta Inchukka, Chahta Vila Apela, and Guiding Adolescent Parents. These programs combined have 11 home visitors across the 10 ½ county service area.
The SPOT Vision Screener is produced by WelchAllyn and was purchased through the supplier, School Health. There are currently four screeners being shared by the programs with an additional two to be purchased within the next six months.
All home visitation staff were trained by School Health on Nov. 14, 2017, in the use of the SPOT Screener. It is our plan that all participant children and their families (everyone in the household) will be screened annually, in addition to free screenings available at Outreach Community Meetings and events. We will also work to partner with other Outreach programs, such as Youth Outreach, to ensure our children and young adults are not having vision issues that can contribute to educational/behavior issues.
The SPOT Screener can be used on children starting at 6 months of age through adulthood. It screens both eyes at the same time and takes less than 2 seconds and a non-threatening three foot distance. In that small amount of time and space, it is ideal to use for screening on even the most difficult circumstances (fussy child, ADHD, low functioning disabilities and other special circumstance situations).
The screening is human error free in that the LED screen displays one of two options: Screening Complete or Complete Eye Exam Recommended. After screening, a detailed report can be printed and given to the guardian or participant to be taken to the ophthalmologist or optometrist of their choice. Home Visitation policy for eye exam recommended (below level readings) will be to initiate a referral for services with the family.