Some Portland Students Will Receive Free Eye Exams and FreeGlasses Starting this Week. (The Above Eye Glasses are Not Part of the Boston-based Vision Van’s Program. Bit They Are Available at North Optical, Washington Avenue).
Students at Portland Adult Education Will Participate in the Vision Van Visit to Portlnd This Week.
The 20/20 Onsite Vision Van Coming to Portland This Week From Massachusetts.
Students at Reiche Community School, Gerald E. Talbot Community School and Portland Adult Education are slated to receive free eye exams and glasses starting this week according to a press release from the Foundation for Portland Public Schools (FPPS).issued Friday, January 3, 2025..
A “handful” of students from East End Community School who have been identified in need of services provided by the Vision Van will receive that eye care as well according to Andi Summers, Executive Director of FPPS.
On January 6 – 8, 2015 a Vision Van from Boston-based 20/20 Onsite will provide vision screenings, eye exams and glasses to studets listed above at no cost to their families.
Furthermore, Greater Portland Health (GPH) has expanded its services to include an optomertrist on site monthly. GPH can now provide full vision exams and studens can order eyeglasses with their MaineCare coverage, something that is not available in other local practices. Elementary and middle school students who are patients at GPH can schedule appointments with the optometrist through their office at 295 Park Avenue.
PPS School Nurse Tina Veiileux said in the press release: “For years, Portland school nurses have cobbled together a patchwork of free and low-cost programs that come and go. Many of our students have MaineCare which does not include vision coverage, but it can be challenging to get a MaineCare appointment with an optometrist in Portland, especially if the student needs an interpreter. It is also exremely difficult for families to get glasses because few optometrists accept MaineCare for glasses. There is a backlog of studens in need of vision exams and glasses.”
Veilleux shared this challenge with Andi Summers, the Executive Director of the Foundation for Public Schools, hoping to find community resources to help solve the problem. “The Foundation for Portland Public Schools exists to listen and respond with proactive solutions to strengthen learning,” said Summers. “We believe that every student deserves a good foundation in school. The ability to see clearly is critical to being able to access learning.”
For more information on the Vision Van visit, please call the Foundation for Portland Public Schools at 207 842-4658.