In support of Lions District 24-A, Fairfax Host Lions Club (FHLC) was pleased to submit the Final report for LCIF Core 4 Grant GA9015. This project was designed to address the limited support for low vision screening and treatment throughout District 24-A. The original goals of this effort were:
- Expand the capacity of the newly created Low Vision Center at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital through the addition of a low-vision optometrist to perform screenings of referred patients. As a result of LCIF downsizing the original Grant request, this objective is being fulfilled by a grant obtained directly from Inova by another donor, which resulted in a decrease of $107,205.00 from our original budget request.
- Implement a loaner program to provide temporary use of vision enhancing (assistive) devices to patients so they can test the device’s effectiveness and employ until a permanent device is acquired.
- Implement a transportation voucher system to assist patients in outlying areas of the District to get to and from the Low Vision Center when transportation is not available.
- Provide for the development and implementation of a District-wide awareness and outreach campaign, and development of expanded web-based material to promote the use of VLEI and the Low Vision Center to address the needs of low vision patients across the region.
All of the revised goals of the program were met and/or exceeded particularly with the acquisition of the Nidex MP-I Microperimeter, and the LVC has been established as the “center of excellence†for low vision evaluation and remediation.
Ultimately, District 24-A, VLEI, and the Inova Health System Foundation share a vision that the success of this project and development of the “center of excellence†will help provide the impetus to grow VLEI and the Low Vision Center (LVC) to provide low ision services to the entire District through a larger infrastructure, including the possible development of satellite Low Vision Centers over the next several years to make this a Multiple District 24 effort.
This longer-range vision would ensure underserved populations will have access to the services offered. Based on the experience gained from executing the current Grant, this and some other proposals will be the subject of a follow on Core 4 Grant request in 2007.
Based on the experience to date, the Inova Health Foundation has already committed to continue the Lions/Inova strategic partnership to support these efforts as appropriate.
We are all extremely proud of the work that the Inova Low Vision Center and the staff accomplished through the support of LCIF,VLEI and the Lions of District 24-A. Establishing the facility as the “center for excellence†in such a short period of time within the District and throughout the entire Northern Virginia area has created a lasting legacy for the entire team.
The impact on the community and the people that the LVC currently serves and will serve in the immediate future is projected to be very high.
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