Item No. 7.
| MEETING DATE: 05/03/2021 |
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| TO: | HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS |
| FROM: | JIM SADRO, CITY MANAGER By: Kelly Fujio, Director of Community Services |
| SUBJECT: | APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AFFILIATION AGREEMENT WITH THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, ON BEHALF OF UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE (UCI) DEPARTMENT OF OPHTHALMOLOGY FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR |
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an Affiliation Agreement with the Regents of the University of California, on behalf of the University of California, Irvine (UCI) Department of Ophthalmology to provide vision care for the children enrolled in the Child Development Division programs and provide further assessments for those who fail the annual vision screening for the 2021-2022 School Year.
DISCUSSION:
The City has partnered with UCI since 2014 to provide vision screening for children enrolled in the City's Child Development program. The partnership is funded through grants received by UCI, allowing children (infants through preschool age) enrolled in the City’s Child Development program to be screened for ophthalmological concerns prior to the start of the school year. Screening is the first step in getting to know a child, establishing "baseline" healthcare data, and helping staff plan and identify red flags that may require further examination or evaluation.
Timely vision screening (coupled with an eye examination, when needed) is an important step toward early detection of any potential vision problems. Early detection can lead to an effective intervention and help to restore proper vision. Young children rarely complain when they cannot see well because, to them, impaired vision is normal. Because children use all their senses to learn, including vision, efforts to improve a child's visual skills, can represent a positive contribution to a child’s school readiness.
UCI supports local vision screening through a grant that covers costs associated with assessments. Approximately 417 children in the City’s Child Development program, (EHS, Preschool, and School-Age Programs) have received vision screenings from UCI, and to date, approximately 85 children have also received assistance with reading glasses and follow-ups as needed. Prior to the screening, a Parental Consent form must be completed for each child. Those children who fail the vision screening will receive additional vision care through UCI from qualified doctors and specialists, which may include more comprehensive vision screening and the provision of reading glasses, if needed, at no cost to the family.
Timely vision screening (coupled with an eye examination, when needed) is an important step toward early detection of any potential vision problems. Early detection can lead to an effective intervention and help to restore proper vision. Young children rarely complain when they cannot see well because, to them, impaired vision is normal. Because children use all their senses to learn, including vision, efforts to improve a child's visual skills, can represent a positive contribution to a child’s school readiness.
UCI supports local vision screening through a grant that covers costs associated with assessments. Approximately 417 children in the City’s Child Development program, (EHS, Preschool, and School-Age Programs) have received vision screenings from UCI, and to date, approximately 85 children have also received assistance with reading glasses and follow-ups as needed. Prior to the screening, a Parental Consent form must be completed for each child. Those children who fail the vision screening will receive additional vision care through UCI from qualified doctors and specialists, which may include more comprehensive vision screening and the provision of reading glasses, if needed, at no cost to the family.
FISCAL IMPACT/SOURCE OF FUNDING:
The services provided by UCI are free to both the City and the program participants through a grant given to UCI Department of Ophthalmology as part of their community outreach program. No General Funds support the program.
GENERAL PLAN RELEVANCE:
Goal LU 17.1
Goal CI 5.1
Goal CI 5.2
Goal CI 5.3
Goal CI 5.1
Goal CI 5.2
Goal CI 5.3