Background
Vision Health Minnesota (VHMN) (formerly the MN Vision Health Task Force) works to build a comprehensive system of eye care and improve vision and eye health in Minnesota through changes in policy and practice.
VHMN is made up of eleven partners focused on improving vision health outcomes of underserved populations of young children. Partner organizations represent philanthropy, non-profit, local, state and federal jurisdictions and higher education. Minneapolis Public Schools Early Childhood was home to VHMN from 2019-2015, and includes a robust partnership network of community organizations from health, education and social service sectors that serve young children and their families.
Our Minnesota team was one of eight selected to participate in a 2020-2022 Better Vision Together- Community of Practice, convened by the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness (NCCVEH), and which made advances to the Minnesota and national eye care systems. The NCCVEH supported the Community of Practice to implement actions and solutions anchored in population health strategies through a peer-support approach, including policy change, systems of vision and eye health, public awareness and data collection.
While the Community of Practice time period has ended, VHMN’s work continues!
Organizational Members
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Center for Leadership Education in Maternal Child Public Health, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Parents in Community Action: Head Start and Early Head Start
- Children’s Minnesota
- City of Minneapolis Health Department
- City of Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board
- Early Youth Eyecare (E.Y.E.)and Kirby Puckett Eye Mobile
- Phillips Eye Institute, part of Allina Health
- Hennepin County Public Health Family Services
- MD5M Lions KidSight Foundation, Inc
- Minneapolis Public Schools, Office of Early Childhood Education
- Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), Early Childhood Screening (ECS)
- Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Child and Teen Checkups (EPSDT)
Intersted in joining? Email us at visionhealthmn @ gmail.com
The Little Eyes Big Eyes Project: Addressing Unmet Eye Care Needs in Native Communities
In 2022, VHMN received a Seva Foundation grant that will provide the VHMN with the opportunity to build awareness and expand point of service eye care to Minnesota Native Communities.
The Little Eyes Big Eyes (LEBE) Project aims to advance the comprehensive vision health strategy of VHMN by equipping primary health clinics and community organizations that serve Minnesota Native Communities to increase vision screening, access to eye care and build awareness of preventive eye care.
Presentations & Other Work
- We were featured in the Department of Education Office of Early Learning’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services’ “Voices From the Field Blog: Interview with Cindy Hillyer.“
- We presented “Advancing Minnesota’s Vision Health: Design, Action and Impact” at the 2019 NCCVEH annual meeting in Baltimore.
- This presentation provides background on Lions Club KidSight USA, a national coalition that screens preschool and school-age kids.
Contact
Email Cindy Hillyer at visionhealthmn @ gmail.com.
