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This website publishes administrative rules on their effective dates, as designated by the adopting state agencies, colleges, and universities.

Chapter 3701-48 | Save Our Sight Fund

 
 
 
Rule
Rule 3701-48-01 | Definitions.
 

As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(A) "501 (c) organization" means an organization exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to 26 U.S.C.A. 501 (a) and (c) (as in effect on January 1, 2009).

(B) "Administrative costs" means expenses incurred in managing, monitoring and evaluating the save our sight fund for accountability and effectiveness. Administrative expenses include, but are not limited to, salaries, benefits, and other expenses incurred by the director in controlling and directing the fund.

(C) "Amblyopia" means reduced vision in an eye that has not received adequate use during early childhood.

(D) "Child" means an individual from birth to eighteen years of age.

(E) "Department" means the Ohio department of health.

(F) "Director" means the director of health or the director's designee.

(G) "Protective eyewear" means industrial quality eye protective devices that bear the seal of approval from the American national standards institute "ANSI," the national operating committee on standards for athletic equipment "NOCSAE," or other approved protective devices for the head and eyes.

(H) "Registry" means a statewide listing or database of children who have been diagnosed with amblyopia.

(I) "Save our sight fund" means the fund created in the state treasury pursuant to section 3701.21 of the Revised Code consisting of voluntary contributions deposited as provided in section 4503.104 of the Revised Code.

(J) "Vision services" includes, but is not limited to, education, technical assistance to other agencies or direct patient care in the discipline of vision or vision health and safety.

Last updated November 2, 2022 at 2:06 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3701.21
Amplifies: 3701.21
Five Year Review Date: 1/10/2027
Prior Effective Dates: 5/18/2009
Rule 3701-48-02 | Procedures and parameters for 501 (c) organizations to request funding from the save our sight fund.
 

(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 proposals and shall comply with the procedures outlined in the department's "Ohio Grants Administrative Policy and Procedures" (OGAPP), available at https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/about-us/funding-opportunities/resources/grants-administration-policies-and-procedures-ogapp-manual 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 https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/children-s-hearing-vision-program/requirements/school-aged-requirement 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 four 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.

Last updated January 20, 2022 at 8:46 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3701.21
Amplifies: 3701.21
Five Year Review Date: 1/10/2027
Prior Effective Dates: 3/28/2011
Rule 3701-48-03 | Save our sight fund.
 

The director of health shall use the money in the save our sight fund in accordance with the following:

(A) The award of grants in accordance with rule 3701-48-02 of the Administrative Code;

(B) The development of informational materials on the importance of eye care and safety and distribution of such materials to the registrar of motor vehicles and each deputy registrar; and

(C) Administrative costs incurred by the department including the collection, review, and evaluation of data and information to ensure program effectiveness and accountability of the grantees and the fund.

Last updated August 1, 2023 at 2:13 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3701.21
Amplifies: 3701.21
Five Year Review Date: 1/10/2027