Ep 222 | What If They’re Struggling Because They Can’t See?

SPEAKER_00 0:00

So many of them had no idea they couldn't see. They just thought that that's what life was that everything was blurry. And it's it's really cool because when we did the Angels in the Mits segment, we actually had one of the kids come, and she was just so excited, and the parents were so excited. It really makes a difference in their life. In turn, you see it in their attitude, in their schoolwork, just their whole character.

SPEAKER_01 0:33

Welcome to the Voices United in Education podcast. Each week we showcase the teachers, administrators, and community members who go the extra mile to contribute to the success of every child in Escambia County. You'll meet the real people behind the titles and learn about the amazing resources to support your child's success. They say you don't know what you have until it's gone, but what if you never knew you never had it? Such is the case for many students struggling in class because they can't see, but they don't know that they need glasses. My next guests are the school health coordinator and a registered nurse with health services, who are helping to change that through the Florida Hike and Vision program for students pre-K through 12th grade. In the 2025-26 school year, over 300 kids were screened, and 270 received the glasses they needed all for free. Today they're going to share how a Miami-based program found its way to the panhandle, how it's helping Escambia County students, and how you can apply for your child. Student Wellness Advocates and eye care allies, Betty Hagins and Deedra Nimblett. Welcome to the show, ladies. Thank you for having us.

SPEAKER_02 1:45

Thank you for having us.

SPEAKER_01 1:46

So, Betty, you were the one who began the work to bring this program to Escambia County. What triggered you to do that?

SPEAKER_02 1:53

Well, over the years, being in school health, we screened the kids for needing glasses, and many of them need them. There's an overwhelming amount of kids who can't afford them, and there's not a lot of resources out there. So this program actually goes all over the place. And they have contact, I didn't seek them out. Basically, they have been seeking us out for a while. So we just decided to take the jump. And when we got a call from them, we said, let's do it, found out what it entailed, and it sounded almost too good to be true. So we just started getting the work done so that they could come.

SPEAKER_01 2:31

When you say get the work done, there's obviously like some requirements for them to be able to make the trip up from Miami. Right. What does that look like?

SPEAKER_02 2:39

We had to put an agreement in place, of course, as to, you know, what they were going to do, what we were going to do, how we were going to distribute the application, who their contacts would be, what schools were interested, and then just getting the whole process going so that we were letting as many parents know as possible how to apply, posting the flyers, you know, just pushing the applications because the thing with hiking is they have to have at least 30 kids and they want to have five schools that are traveling up here. So really it's 150 approved applications. And so it's a lot to get. There's kids out there who need it and qualify, but it's just the parents finding out about it that it exists. So I think that was where a lot of the work was because what happens is when they apply online, then Haiken will send me a report as I ask for, hey, what are our numbers looking like? And as they start getting 30 at like five different schools, then they'll start running them for approval. It's an income-based program. So until they reach, you know, the 30 applicants at their five schools, they're collecting applications, but they're not running them for approval. So it's just a matter of pushing, you know, push those applications, push those applications. And as I'm seeing in the reports that we're getting close, we're getting close. We need to do another push. Let's put something on the news. And then they'll run the applications through. And then once they hit 30, then we're like, okay, that's school number one, school number two, and just filling them in that way. So it definitely is a lot of work. Yeah, that's so much.

SPEAKER_01 4:09

It was worth it, but it was pretty successful. When you say, like, oh, they reached out to us. If that was the end of the sentence, I would have been like, why didn't we do this earlier? But there's all this invisible work behind the scenes. And Deidre, you're the registered nurse. What was your role in pre and post-Hyken?

SPEAKER_00 4:28

Before Hyken came, I would still help with the screenings and help identify the students, like Betty was mentioning, all the students who failed vision screenings. And it was always one of my jobs was always trying to find resources. And there's little places here and there, like the Lions Club or being a member of the National Association of School Nurses. They had a program at some time that offered vouchers, but that's come and gone, and those things aren't necessarily available all the time anymore. So before it was really hard and difficult to try to find a good resource. And then when they approached us again this year, Betty saw the benefit that would be with going with this program and took on the job of doing it, making it happen.

SPEAKER_01 5:16

I'm starting to see why both of you are featured in the Angels in Our Myth segment, because what you're describing is so much unseen labor. I mean, right when you said, well, as a nurse, as you know, you know, I look to find resources. I was like, no, Deedra, I don't know. I don't know that. Like, what do you mean? I thought as a nurse, your job was to do nursing stuff. There's so much, I think, that most people outside of the inner workings of the school district don't know.

SPEAKER_00 5:46

Yes. And even now that we're doing it, I assist Betty with collecting all the schools. I initially went out and asked all the schools who's interested, and this is what we're going to have to do, and this is what it's going to look like, and keeping up with that so that I can give her the data to work directly with Hiken to identify the schools.

SPEAKER_01 6:04

That's taking on a totally different project, but it must be so satisfying to not have to do these vision screenings, kind of knowing in the back of your head, oh, this child's family is probably not going to be able to afford the glasses or the, you know, vision support that they need. It is. It's very rewarding. So for a parent listening, what would be some signs that their child might need a vision screening? Because if the child doesn't know, and then I would assume the parent wouldn't know. And in the past, do you remember they would say, if your child is sitting very close to the television, and it's like, well, we have screens now that are literally arm's length distance from our face. So that doesn't really work.

SPEAKER_00 6:48

How is a parent supposed to know? Some of them still hold fast. If you see a child squinting, if you're seeing that they're holding something unusually close to their face, and these are kind of things that you see at home. And then at school, they have different things that they might do.

SPEAKER_02 7:05

I think at school you see poor performance. And sometimes they think it's just because they're not listening, they're not paying attention, they're not engaging in the lesson, or they're being distracted, frustrated. And it's simply because they can't see what's on the board and they're not realizing, hey, I can't see very well. You know, they're second grade, first grade. And so instead they're playing just because there's nothing to hold their attention, they can't see. And so then when we do the screenings, it's like, wow, that they're really, you know, struggling. And then with a lot of these kids, we're sending the note home saying, hey, your child needs to an eye doctor. Then the next year comes around and we're doing screenings again, and that same kid comes through the line, still no glasses, still feeling the screening. And so this program is pretty cool. And I'm excited to see what happens with this year because last year was the first year we brought it. You're not sure how it's going to work. You're not sure how it's going to flow when they're there at the school. I mean, we did have a few hiccups, but I think when they went and it was such a positive experience, the principals who participated were like, oh, this was fantastic. The staff, you know, raved about it. And so now it's gotten word around. And we got calls after, you know, the their second visit last time of are they coming back? Because more people want to participate because now they've heard other people's experiences were very positive. And so I think we will get even more applicants this year.

SPEAKER_01 8:31

So you're building a lot of momentum.

SPEAKER_00 8:33

Yes. Yeah. And it's it's interesting that you say that, Betty, because when I first went out and did the initial email to all 53, or actually more with the charter schools involved, schools saying, Hey, it's summer. Who's interested in hiking? Within the same day, the emails just started pinging. And within the rest of that afternoon, I had like 26 schools already saying, I'm interested, we're interested, we're interested over here. And I'm just starting to make a list. And yeah.

SPEAKER_01 9:01

Wow. Okay. So that's so interesting. Cause I feel like you you both of you did all this heavy lifting to get it here, to get people bought in on it. But I feel like you're now in this liminal space where you've built this momentum and it's really important now that we keep it. So you are able to get feedback from principals. But what does that look like when you're trying to get parents on board since they have to be the one to actually apply?

SPEAKER_02 9:28

Well, the principles are step one because, you know, if they don't have time to bring them or there's a lot of juggling that goes along with it, you know, we have to work it around testing and field trips. And, you know, when Hiken gives us the week that they're coming, that's the week that they're coming. So those that they're coming to, like I'm sending them a schedule saying, here's the days. What would you like? And they're picking the days and that this doesn't work for the school. And we're trying. So, you know, I think that last year with it being the trial, and it worked great. So this year, the principal, step one, are saying, Yes, we want to participate. And so then at that point, we're sending out the link for the flyers. We're communicating with navigators, communicating with guidance counselors, giving them different ideas, you know, put it on your Facebook page if you have one. Put a flyer next to where parents check their kids out, give it with the beginning of the year paperwork, just plugging it any chance that you get. Then that's when they start coming in. And then when I start getting the reports, I've got a report last week, I can see how many applications have come in from each school. So if I see there's only been two, I'm thinking they probably heard it from somebody else. Did it get pushed at the school? And then, you know, Deedra and I can follow up and say, hey, don't forget. Or, you know, I gave her a list yesterday saying this seven schools are really close. So then she'll let them know, like, hey, push, push, push, because you guys are almost there. So it's kind of just monitoring those reports and seeing where we need to give that push.

SPEAKER_01 10:58

So as of today, this recording, do you know what your numbers are? How far?

SPEAKER_02 11:02

Yeah, we have 234 applicants right now. But I think there was about seven that we picked out feeling like they would for sure be meeting that for December. They'll come to five schools. Now, they were really good last year because some school, like I think we had maybe three that had over the amount. And I'm like, well, this one has 20 and this one has 10, and they're only three miles apart. Would you go to both? And that and they're like, Okay, yeah, we will. Or, you know, one school had, and they can have up to 50. So one school I think had 30, nearby school had like 15. So we said, Well, if we bust those kids over from that school to that school, would you see them too? And they're like, Oh, sure. So it's actually, you know, more than the five if you get creative.

SPEAKER_01 11:49

But And that's what I love about these conversations is it sort of pulls back the curtain on the creativity that happens behind the scenes for everyone to come together to help kids get where they need to go. I think that's so powerful.

SPEAKER_02 12:03

Yeah, it was pretty cool to see it all in action and unfold. And then now that we're experienced in doing it, we know what to expect. And so we're able to talk to the parents and say, yeah, it's a great program. This is what you can expect because we've seen it happen. And we saw them come through with the glasses and we saw times where, oh, these glasses are broke. What should we do? And I'm calling the contact and they're like, okay, just mail them right in and we'll get them fixed and we'll send them. I mean, so it's it was really, really a great program. I don't have any complaints about it at all. And I think this year we'll, I think we will get the spots filled. Last year we got two weeks. So we had the first weeks, and it really what happened was when we set it up, it was more we didn't start it in the summer. I think it started like right at the beginning of the school year. So we had very little time for that first visit and we made it happen. Then we got a lot of feedback. And so I called our sister, anyway, you'll come back one more time. And she said, Well, if you can get five more full schools, then we'll do one more visit. And we we pulled it off and they came back. So this year they're doing three visits, so three weeks. And it'll be December, January, and February. So as we start seeing the applicants fill up, we'll start plugging in those schools for the first that week. And then we'll let everybody know, hey, that week's gone. So we have January. So do your push. Here's where your numbers are at. Because if we don't have the numbers, of course they're not going to come back. But I feel confident that we'll get them.

SPEAKER_01 13:27

What's been the student reaction to going from, oh, I didn't even know that the board was up. Is that it? There is a board at the front of the class to I can see.

SPEAKER_00 13:37

So many of them had no idea they couldn't see. They just thought that that's what life was was that everything was blurry. And it's it's really cool because when we did the Angels in the Mits segment, we actually had one of the kids come and she was just so excited, and the parents were so excited. It really makes a difference in their life. In turn, you see it in their attitude, in their schoolwork, just their whole character.

SPEAKER_01 14:05

The dad in that segment was so sweet. He was, you know, because I was thinking about men and their parenting outlook and how maybe the stereotype is that they wouldn't want to go on camera and be like, yeah, I can't afford glasses for my kid. But he was just so strong. And the way he was like, I'm here for my daughter. And that was the main thing. And you really felt that.

SPEAKER_00 14:28

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 14:29

Yeah. He was awesome. He was so awesome. What about teachers? What are teachers saying?

SPEAKER_02 14:33

The same thing. I mean, we have heard from so many schools about like when they came and dispensed the glasses of just like the joy of the kids and how excited they were. And we've had a lot of teachers comment on noticing the kids being more engaged and doing better.

SPEAKER_01 14:49

I always love things that make teachers happier. I feel like, you know, that isn't a tough job. It's a tough job. It's such an important job. And anytime that we can make teachers feel appreciated and do a little burnout prevention, I think that's all boats rise situation. But who knew glasses and vision screenings would be a part of that. Now, Betty, you said earlier that Hiken is the one that screens all of the applicants for eligibility. Right. Do you know anything about what that screening looks like or what the parameters are? It's just they use the Florida poverty guidelines.

SPEAKER_02 15:25

And so, you know, whatever those are, I had asked her, and that was, you know, that's just what she said. So I'm assuming it's probably the same guidelines as they use for Medicaid and all the programs. So I guess it's a universal.

SPEAKER_01 15:38

So it kind of depends probably on members, yeah, family size and all of that. What about insurance? Does this completely bypass the insurance? I'm thinking about families who may have insurance, but maybe they have a high deductible plan. And so programs like these that might bill insurance would still be not advantageous to the family because if their deductible isn't met, that means they're paying full price.

SPEAKER_02 16:03

Right. So on the application, it says, do we have permission to bill your insurance? And if they say no, they still do the glasses. It's of no cost to them. If they mark yes, you can bill my insurance or say they have Medicaid, they will bill the insurance. But if there is a copay, they do not send it to the parent. Okay. So the parent doesn't pay a copay. But if they mark that no, you cannot bill my insurance, then they are still going to do the exam and the glasses.

SPEAKER_01 16:28

And who's coming up from Hiken to do all of this? Is it ophthalmologists, social workers? Who's a part of that team?

SPEAKER_02 16:36

They have the doctor and then they have a tech that comes with them and they come up and normally they have a bus for their local schools. Miami and meaning local to Miami. Yeah, local to their company. But when they're traveling, they will use a room in the school and they will send the kids in. The kids will get their eyes dilated and move on to a spot screen and then move on to the full exam with the doctor.

SPEAKER_01 17:00

Is there someone from the child school in there with them?

SPEAKER_02 17:04

Well, they do have somebody run in to get the kids. And so sometimes the URN supervisor will be there. Sometimes it's just somebody that's helping out at the school, you know, that's kind of corralling the kids, bringing the kids in and out.

SPEAKER_01 17:17

And what about contact lenses? Is that an option for some of the older kids? Because the Angels and our myth student, she was older-ish. You know, we always think of little kids in their glasses, probably because of our social media algorithms. You know, the baby that has the glasses for their first time, those are so adorable. How cute they are. Their eyes get so big. But older kids may have the added layer of social acceptance and currently not at this time.

SPEAKER_00 17:46

Hiken doesn't offer that. They're just doing the actual physical glasses. Okay.

SPEAKER_01 17:50

And when do the kids receive the glasses? Just a couple weeks.

SPEAKER_02 17:54

Yeah, I I think it takes about four weeks. I think there were some that got it about six weeks out because you know, after the they're here for the whole week and then they have to go back and schedule a visit to come back and dispense. So it was probably four to six weeks, I would say. Okay.

SPEAKER_01 18:09

And for parents listening, if they're like, oh my gosh, I didn't know about this, my child may need a screening. Although, don't all kids it's recommended that they receive some sort of vision screening on a somewhat of a regular basis?

SPEAKER_00 18:23

Yes. When children go for their well visit exam with their doctor, it's very normal on those visits that they do a vision screening.

SPEAKER_01 18:32

Okay. So even if the child went to the well visit and everything was fine, they would still benefit from at least applying to this. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_02 18:42

Well, and we also screen at the schools pre-K, kindergarten, first, third, and sixth every year that they all get screened with parent consent. And then we send the letter home of those that need to see an eye doctor. So those kids are still getting screened despite this program.

SPEAKER_01 18:59

But about kids who already have glasses, because sometimes your vision changes.

SPEAKER_02 19:04

Yeah, they can apply as well and do the exam like you would at the doctor to make sure you have the appropriate script in your glasses. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 19:10

We encourage all parents if you feel like at all that your child might need glasses to apply.

SPEAKER_01 19:17

And what would be a parent's next step in doing that? They're listening into it right now. What can they immediately go do to help towards those numbers to get hiking up here again, but also to help their child?

SPEAKER_02 19:28

Go to their website and do the online application. That's all you have to do. If you don't have internet, you could call the school. The guidance counselors can help you get on there, the navigators can help. That's pretty much it. Just go into the website and applying and we'll reach out to you. Okay. When it's scheduled.

SPEAKER_00 19:45

It's a simple five-minute online process.

SPEAKER_01 19:48

So we'll link that in the show notes so that way people can just click it and go there. And if you meet your applicant goals and, you know, the layers, applicant goal, qualified applicant goal, and then they show up. Then the screenings will be December 7th through 11th, 2026, January 11th through 15th, and then February 1st through 5th, 2027. Right. Is there an application window that we should know about?

SPEAKER_02 20:13

Once they get the, you know, the 30 and they have solidified that they're coming, they'll keep taking them as long as they're able to process them until they get the 50 at each school. So really it's the sooner the better because they have to process the applications. And if we don't meet their numbers, then, but I would say just keep applying because if you don't make it for this cutoff, you might make it for the next. And then every summer it starts over in July 1st. And so I think that was helpful this year because we really plugged that at the end of the last school year and in the summer to let everybody know. Hey, a reminder, come July 1st, you can apply. And so those applications will start collecting.

SPEAKER_00 20:52

Perfect. Any final thoughts before we close? Thank you for having us on here. And thank you for letting us talk about this program that has done so much for the district.

SPEAKER_01 21:02

Well, thank you for doing all of the invisible work to make the programs actually get to the people that they need to get to. Because without that, they're just a good idea, and that doesn't do anyone any good.

SPEAKER_02 21:15

Well, thank you for having us.

SPEAKER_01 21:17

Thank you, ladies. This is great. Thank you. Thanks for listening. Be sure to subscribe and share. Voices United in Education is a production of Scambia County Public Schools.