Bonnie Strickland Champion for Children’s Vision Award: Ohio Governor Mike DeWine

Governor DeWine was nominated for the award in recognition of his leadership in creating a unique and sustainable system of eyecare for children throughout the state of Ohio, and his support of a $25 million allocation to support it. In 2024, he led the formation of the Children’s Vision Strike Force to ensure that students who did not pass certified vision screenings received follow-up eye exams and necessary glasses. DeWine then developed the OhioSEE Program with the goal of improving the comprehensive system of care for vision and eye health in Ohio’s children.

In the initial year of OhioSEE, 1,900 children received a comprehensive eye exam, and 1,200 children received a free pair of eyeglasses. Currently, the program is supporting mobile vision vans and temporary clinics, bringing access to comprehensive eye exams directly to schools within 15 counties, including Allen, Butler, Clark, Clermont, Cuyahoga, Erie, Franklin, Guernsey, Huron, Jackson, Lorain, Mahoning, Marion, Montgomery, and Ross. Notably, Governor DeWine has allocated the $25 million of support through the Rural Health Transformation Fund to expand the program statewide and to include additional pathways of delivering eye exams to children in need.

Learn more about the Bonnie Strickland Champion for Children’s Vision Award.