Mobile vision services

*Our Vision Services Department is currently unable to offer these services*
For immediate needs, please contact us at (612) 789-1236
Several years ago, A Chance To Grow learned that 85-90% of Head Start children who received vision screenings resulting in a referral for a full eye exam were not following through, due in part to language barriers, transportation issues and socioeconomic factors. In response to this alarming statistic, A Chance To Grow created its Mobile Vision Clinic program to bring the eye exams directly to the childcare setting.

​Serving children six months to five-years-old, A Chance To Grow’s Developmental Optometrists will come to your childcare facility or school and screen all students. Where indicated, they will conduct a thorough examination to determine if corrective lenses are warranted.

Our optometrists will examine eye health, eye movements, eye teaming, eye focusing and refractive status. Where indicated, they will conduct a thorough examination to determine if corrective lenses are warranted. If a child needs glasses, we have an array of frames on hand that children can choose from the same day!
This is a FREE service to the childcare center!
Most exams and glasses will be covered by the child’s medical insurance (if they have vision coverage). If no insurance is present, A Chance To Grow will cover the cost with grant funds received from the Medica Foundation.

Frequently
asked questions

What's included in a full vision examination?
An evaluation of the child's ocular health, eye movements, eye teaming, focusing, and refractive status to determine if glasses need to be prescribed, are all included. Children needing glasses will be given a prescription and will be able to pick out frames for their prescription lenses.
What if a child can't complete the exam when ACTG is on-site?
Limited vision examinations are also available for those children who may not have been able to complete a regular screening due to various reasons. If during the limited examination it is determined that glasses will be needed, a full visual examination can be completed for the student and glasses prescribed.
What is the cost to our site?
It's free to have us come to your site! Most examination and glasses services provided will be covered by the child's medical insurance if they have vision coverage. ACTG is a provider for the following insurance companies: Medica, BCBS of MN, Preferred One, UCare, TriCare, Medical Assistance and Medicare. If no insurance is present, A Chance To Grow will cover the cost with grant funds received from the Medica Foundation.
How much time will it take?
Each limited examination will take 5-10 minutes. A full vision exam takes approximately 15-30 minutes. The time depends on the age of the child being examined and their individual ability to participate.
What is your role in providing this service?
Logistics: Work with ACTG vision staff to set up a date for the vision exams. Provide space for the examinations. A minimum of five children to be examined are needed to have a doctor come to your site.

Connect with Parents: Contact parents to let them know when the examinations will be taking place. Send out required forms for the parents to sign if unable to be with the child during the vision testing. Parents will need to provide medical/vision insurance information, plus sign HIPPA and access to insurance forms, which will be provided by A Chance To Grow.

Staffing: Provide staff to bring the children to and from the room for the examinations.