FocusFirst

An ImpactAlabama Initiative

What is it?

The mission of Focus First is to provide a cost-effective direct response to the vision problems of underprivileged children who live in urban and rural poverty. Focus First strives to ensure that all children, ages two to five, within eleven targeted rural counties and urban communities, begin their education with the best vision medically possible. Our long-term goal is to operate a statewide campus-based network of college and graduate students trained to identify and screen children in communities of need throughout Alabama in order to enhance the educational development of children by providing them with the best vision possible

Who is the client?

Alabama children in daycare, pre-K, and HeadStart programs.

What do I need to have?

You need to attend one half-day training session in order to learn how to operate camera screening equipment. You also need to be patient and enjoy working with young children.

How much time does it take?

We ask that each student commit to three screenings a semester (you may do more if you wish). Each screening takes between 1.5 and 3 hours depending on the travel time.

When is it?

The schedule is flexible. Impact sends emails out to students with a screening day and time; you respond when that day and time works conveniently with your schedule.

Contact:

Carson Land and Vishu Danthuluri, FocusFirst Student Coordinators, ecland@bsc.edu, vrdanthu@bsc.edu