NFCV to celebrate 25 years in 2026

The Nebraska Foundation for Children’s Vision (NFCV) will celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2026.

The Nebraska Foundation for Children’s Vision (NFCV) will celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2026. Working cooperatively with the Nebraska Optometric Association since its establishment in 2001, the foundation’s first quarter century has changed the landscape for pediatric vision care in the state.

Through NFCV, active collaboration has brought together optometrists, educators, public health professionals, and policymakers to expand awareness of consumers, increase access to vision care for children, and elevate the level of vision care provided in schools.

Since 2001, NFCV has:

• Expanded awareness of how vision care impacts learning through advertising campaigns, public service messages, social media outreach and other communication efforts.
• Increased access to care by providing free comprehensive eye exams and eyeglasses to more than 600 underserved students from 40 schools across Nebraska. NOA doctors have volunteered for 13 school vision clinics in 10 different communities and have piloted tested three different clinic formats.  The foundation's Sight for School Fund serves students who have no other access to vision resources. NFCV operates and promotes the See to Learn program which provides free vision assessments to three-year olds.
• Elevated level of vision care in schools thanks to NFCV efforts. The Nebraska legislature passed a law requiring vision evaluations for children entering school that are more comprehensive than screenings. NFCV input was vital to enhanced state guidelines and regulations for school screenings. With increased information and education for school nurses, school screenings have become more reliable in identifying students in need of further evaluation.
• The next phase begins in 2026 as the foundation works to impact public policies that would further support delivery of quality and comprehensive care; using meaningful collaborations and partnerships with stakeholders to further expand our outreach; and maximizing resources for charitable care.