Brevard Schools Foundation

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Take Stock in Children

A signature program of Brevard Schools Foundation, Take Stock in Children is a college scholarship program designed to identify and assist motivated, well-deserving, low-income middle and high school students. It powerfully impacts the major elements of that young child’s life: family, school and community.

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About our Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program

The American Optometric Association reports that that 1-in-4 children has vision problems which may contribute to poor school performance, behavior issues and delinquency. Their research shows that literacy can be improved with early intervention. To read the full text of this article, click here. With corrective lenses, children are able to read their assignments, see the board, and learn to their fullest potential. Their prospects for succeeding in school improve immeasurably.

The mission of the Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program is to make sure that all financially disadvantaged schoolchildren who fail their vision screening have access to a comprehensive eye examination including dilation and glasses, if required, to give them the best chance at academic success. These free services are offered statewide, either on-site at schools via five mobile eye clinics or by our network of over 1,100 participating optometrists.

Of 10,571 low-income schoolchildren receiving a comprehensive eye exam during the 2017-2018 school year, 631 were referred for medical intervention for retinal tears, glaucoma and other eye abnormalities. Approximately 84% of all children examined require and receive prescription eyeglasses, confirming the importance of a follow-up eye exam after a student fails the state-mandated vision screening.

The Heiken program undertakes its critically important work with funding from the Florida Department of Health, and additional funding from the Florida Optometry Eye Health Fund, The Children's Trust, the Miami Foundation, other private foundations and individual donors.