3701-48-02. Procedures and parameters for 501 (c) organizations to request funding from the save our sight fund  


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  • (A) A 501 (c) organization that wishes to obtain funding from the save our sight fund shall respond to a request for proposals issued by the director. The director shall determine the appropriateness of, and approve or disapprove projects for funding, and approve or disapprove the disbursement of money from the save our sight fund.

    (B) Any response to a request for proposals for grants shall be submitted to the department by the date required in the request for proposalsand shall comply with the procedures outlined in the department's "Ohio Grants Administrative Policy and Procedures" ( OGAPP), available at

    http://www.odh.ohio.gov/rules/odhrules.aspx under "referenced material."

    (C) To be eligible for funding from the save our sight fund, the applicant must submit:

    (1) Proof of 501 (c) organizational status;

    (2) A statement of the purpose for the use of funds;

    (3) Budget proposal for the use of funds;

    (4) Project goals, objectives, activities, resources, evaluation procedures, demonstrated experience in the delivery of vision services in all counties of the state, statewide impact of the project, and letters of support.

    (5) Any other information required by a specific request for proposals.

    (D) The director may award funds from the save our sight fund to a 501 (c) organization that meets the criteria set forth in paragraph (C) of this rule and submits a proposal for one or more of the following purposes:

    (1) To implement a voluntary children's vision screener training and certification program for volunteers, child day-care providers, nurses, teachers, health care professionals practicing in primary care settings, and others serving children;

    (a) Any screener training and certification program awarded funding through this program must comply with the department's requirements for the screening of school-aged children as provided in section 3313.69 of the Revised Code; and, must comply with the department's preschool vision screening guidelines. The requirements and screening guidelines are available on the department's website at

    http://www.odh.ohio.gov/rules/odhrules.aspx under "referenced material."

    (b) Any screener training and certification program awarded funding through this program must include, at a minimum:

    (i) A method to determine proficiency of screener skills;

    (ii) A six hour minimum training curriculum; and

    (iii) Trainers qualified through training by department personnel or other qualified vision professionals or through appropriate experience as determined by the director.

    (2) To provide materials for the projects implemented under paragraph (D)(1) of this rule.

    (3) To provide education and materials to raise awareness of the value of vision screening, training, and certification as set forth in paragraph (D)(1) of this rule.

    (4) To develop and implement a registry and targeted voluntary case management system to determine whether children with amblyopia are receiving professional eye care and to provide their parents or legal guardians with information and support regarding their child's vision care. Any registry developed and implemented shall include:

    (a) A plan for the creation of the registry;

    (b) A plan to recruit eye and other health professionals to submit cases for the registry;

    (c) Assurances of client confidentiality;

    (d) Maintenance of accurate registry information;

    (e) Development of an educational campaign to raise awareness of the general public about amblyopia; and,

    (f) Providing information and support to parents or legal guardians of children with amblyopia to include educational materials, resources and supplemental assistance for vision services such as treatment and follow-up.

    (5) To establish a matching grant program for the purchase and distribution of protective eyewear to children. Grants will be matched with ten percent of local agency funding for every save our sight dollar requested.

    (6) To provide vision health and safety programs and materials for traditional and non-traditional classrooms.


Effective: 3/21/2016
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 01/05/2016 and 01/15/2021
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 3701.21
Rule Amplifies: 3701.21
Prior Effective Dates: 9/6/1999, 5/18/09, 3/28/11