Attachment A

Attachment B
Attachment C
Attachment D
Attachment E

We are delighted to announce the continuation of the collaborative partnership between Head Start and Vision Service Plan (VSP), a national healthcare leader in the area of eyecare services. VSP pledged to provide eye exams and eye glasses for needy children throughout the nation at the 1997 President's Summit for America's Future.
Recognizing the important role that vision plays in the educational process, VSP founded the Sight for Students Program several years ago to help low income children obtain vision care. We have agreed to provide assistance in rolling out the program to the youth we serve. The following information is for your use in successfully implementing the program locally. Here are the key points:

VSP's ROLE: VSP provides eyecare services at no charge to qualifying students whose families' income is up to 200% of the federal poverty level. The services will include an eye exam from one of VSP's participating doctors, as well as glasses should they be prescribed. There will be no cost to families unless they choose to purchase a cosmetic option or other extra (see Attachment E for a complete coverage listing).
YOUR ROLE: Head Start grantees are asked to identify qualified students in your area of service who appear to require eyecare services (see Attachment D). After identifying the students, we also ask you to work directly with the families to go over necessary paperwork and to help them access the services, if necessary. VSP will provide services to 7,000 students served by Head Start nationwide. Services will be awarded on a first come, first served basis.
ECONOMIC SELECTION CRITERIA: VSP has targeted the "gap kids" for these services, since their families usually cannot obtain insurance at work and they are not eligible for government programs. These families earn up to 200% of the poverty level. Children who are below the poverty level usually qualify for Medicaid services. These families should be encouraged to obtain eyecare services that they are entitled to receive through Medicaid. The VSP Sight for Students program is not available for recipients of Medicaid. Students are eligible to participate up to age 18, or graduation from high school. Children or their parents must be U.S. citizens or resident aliens with a social security number.
AWARD PROCESS: If your local organization would like to participate, please fill out the attached form titled "Easy as 1,2,3!" (Attachment B) and send it to the address noted on the document. Once received, the benefit forms that entitle the students to the free eye exams and materials will be created and sent to you, along with listings of VSP doctors in the local area. Note that benefit forms will be valid for six (6) months and will then expire. Please share this information with the families and, using the doctor listing, help them select a doctor in their area and schedule the exam. Finally, please ask them to bring the benefit form to the appointment. The doctor will provide the eye exam and, if glasses are prescribed, will help the family choose the appropriate materials and order and dispense the eye glasses. Eligible children may use our program once every 12 months.
SUCCESS STORIES: We would like you to report back on students who were positively affected by the program. A form for your use is included. We will share the success stories with your organization and VSP's staff and doctors (see Attachment C).

If you have any questions, please call Mary Kearney, VSP Sight for Students Coordinator, at (800) 852-7600, Ext. 5156. Thanks for helping to make Sight for Students a success.

08/23/99