The National Eye Institute (NEI) is now accepting applications for the 2009 Healthy Vision Community Awards (HVCA) program. This program provides funding up to $10,000 for the implementation of eye health education and promotion activities that support the Healthy Vision 2010 objectives and the Healthy People 2010 goals to reduce health disparities and improve quality of life. The focus of each program must be eye health education. The 2009 HVCA funds are not intended for research projects or to provide direct medical care.

Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply, including community-based organizations and agencies (LIKE LIONS ORGANIZATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS), minority-based organizations, schools, faith-based organizations, civic and fraternal groups (LIKE LIONS CLUBS), community clinics, local Agencies on Aging, and state and local health departments and agencies. Universities and university affiliations, such as medical centers and schools of optometry and ophthalmology, are precluded from receiving an award directly, but are welcome to collaborate with eligible groups, such as community-based organizations. The final selection of award recipients will be based on a combination of the evaluation score, geographic and racial/ethnic representation, and project innovation. All applications must be postmarked by Friday, August 29, 2008. Awards will be announced in January 2009. There is no limitation as to who can apply - it can be an individual club, a group of clubs, a district or an entire multiple district program.

Application forms and program information are available at www.healthyvision2010.org/news/hvca. If you have questions about the application package or eligibility requirements, please e-mail your questions or requests to HVCAmail@shs.net.

Below are two examples, one of a Lions Club and one of a Lions Foundation, that received past HVCA grant awards.

Olympia Host Lions Club, Washington
The Olympia Host Lions Club aims to increase the number of people with low vision receiving referrals and services to treat and support their individual rehabilitation needs. Don't Let Low Vision Steal Your Life will address the lack of awareness with regard to low vision issues in the community. The Olympia Host Lions Clubs will work to bring together people with low vision and the services they need for a more independent life.

Louisiana Lions Eye Foundation, Louisiana
The Preschool Vision Screening is aimed at educating parents on the importance of eye health for children. The project works toward the mission of reducing the incidence of amblyopia in the preschool population of Louisiana through timely identification and referral of common amblyogenic disorders. The project will screen about 1,300 Louisiana children in parishes directly affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Regional coordinators will identify screening sites, gain permission to conduct the screening, and schedule and obtain parental permission for the screening. Database records will assist with follow-up action for those preschoolers who need further assessment.

Colorado Lions KidSight Program, Colorado
The Colorado Lions KidSight Program aims to raise awareness about the need for early childhood vision screenings, and also to educate the parents of referred children about the necessity of bringing their child to an eye doctor as quickly as possible. Funds were used to create educational materials and then travel throughout the state to implement the early childhood vision awareness project.

To find other program ideas or to search for programs that have been funded in your state, visit the Healthy Vision Community Programs Database http://community-based.shs.net. If you plan on applying, Lions Clubs International Foundation wishes you much success!