Vision equity in New York City: Cross-sector collaboration for targeted service expansion and outcome monitoring in the school-based vision screening program

background/purpose:

The New York City (NYC) Office of School Health Vision Program (SHVP) screens over 205,000 children annually for vision deficits. Interventions to improve follow-up rates (currently at 41%) and long-term compliance, especially in vulnerable populations have traditionally been limited by agency capacity. Recent program expansions and cross-sector partnerships allow for screening and subsequent referral & treatment of an additional 60,000 students in 130 highest-need schools.  

methods:

A multi-agency, mayoral initiative including NYC’s Education Department and SHVP created the conditions to support successful partnerships designed to enhance vision programming, improve outcomes, and decrease vision health disparities. City government contributed resources and public attention by including expanded vision services as key to the Mayor’s Community School Initiative. A public-private partnership with Warby Parker provided access to prescription glasses for students in participating high-need schools. Collaboration with Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health enabled expanded use of data-driven program monitoring and process evaluation.

results:

Evaluation of the impact of the collaboration on the publicly funded SHVP projects a follow-up compliance rate of over 90% in participating schools.  Through partnerships, NYC School Vision Program will widen its scope to 300,000 students city-wide, while monitoring and measuring the effects of coordinated service to selected Pre-K to 12^thgrade high-need students.

conclusion:

When the conditions are created to facilitate cross-sector partnerships, expansions of publicly-funded school-based vision programs may have greater ability to achieve increased equity and decreased disparity in childhood vision health.