The “See More” vision van is a collaborative effort between the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU), the Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare, and Envolve Inc., to bring vision services to underserved communities throughout the United States. Undiagnosed eye and vision disorders are more prominent in underserved communities and we are proud of our collaboration with the Foundation and Envolve on this project. Not only has the van provided immediate services to communities by providing individuals with free eye screenings, as well as free prescription and reading glasses when needed, but ACU has also helped fund permanent vision services at past vision van sites.
The vision van provides screenings and free glasses to non-profit community organizations who serve: the homeless, rural and urban underserved communities, and children at local schools. Over the past two years, the vision van has visited over 30 different locations and provided vision screening to more than 3,200 people, with more than half needing and receiving free prescription, reading glasses, and/or sunglasses.
The success of the vision van is featured in an article pertaining to vision care in rural and underrepresented communities by the Rural Health Information Hub.
Van Impact in 2018:
New York: Here is a video showcasing the impact the vision van made in partnership with Urban Health Plan in the Bronx, NY earlier this year. View a video of the project at Urban Health Plan in Bronx, NY.
Iowa: One of the vision van sites earlier this year Dubuque, Iowa, express their excitement for the vision van rolling into their town. “Many people don’t have the option to receive vision screening or exams because they are uninsured. Crescent is thankful to participate in this free screening courtesy of the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved and Envolve,” said Chief Executive Officer, Julie Woodyard. “Dubuque is only one of two screening options in Iowa this summer. We appreciate them choosing Dubuque as one of their sites.” On this day the vision van helped screen 60 people with 45 of these individuals receiving free prescription glasses and 13 people receiving free reading glasses. Here are some photos from our visit to the Crescent City Community Health Center in Iowa.
Virginia: The vision van has stopped at the Central Virginia Health Services for two consecutive years. “Our patients were very grateful for the vision van and the ability to get eye exam and new glasses if needed. “We serve a large indigent population that struggle to afford basic medical needs so many things we take for granted are far from their reach. This was our second time and we were able to see 10 patients in even a shorter time frame from the first year. We had one patient cry and hug us that she has been living with broken and out dated glasses for years,” according to Practice Manager, Chasity Withrow.
Nebraska: Here is the link to a blog that was written about the vision van: Vision Van.
This is a picture of a man who received his free prescription glasses from the Charles Drew Health Center homeless site in North Omaha.
Portland, Maine: In September, the vision van stopped in Portland, Maine and here is the link to a blog about the experience. Portland
