• Why are these services important?
  According to research by the American Optometric Association, vision problems in children and teenagers may contribute to poor school performance, behavior issues and delinquency. AOA research shows that 1-in-4 of children have vision problems; literacy can be improved with early intervention. With corrective lenses, children are able to read their assignments, see the board, and learn to their fullest potential. Their prospects for succeeding in school and passing the FCAT improve immeasurably. An upcoming issue of Optometry: Journal of the American Optometric Association will carry an article featuring the Heiken Program as a role model for other states.
  
   
• Supplemental Funding
  Other funders for this program are the Florida Optometric Charities, the National Eye Institute, the American Optometric Association, the Children’s Trust and many other foundations and donors whose support more than doubles the number of children the Heiken Program is able to serve.

We believe that literacy can be improved with early intervention in children with vision deficits.  Students with poor vision cannot see the board or do close work and fall behind in class  Our objective is to provide comprehensive eye health services including vision examinations, eyeglasses and vision training for students, thus meeting the goal for vision established in National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Healthy Vision/Healthy People 2010 initiative. In the past three years, the Heiken Program has received two Healthy Vision/Healthy People awards from NEI.

Governance oversight of the program is provided by the President, Secretary and Treasurer of the LLC; oversight of the program is provided by the Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program Advisory Committee comprised of optometrists, ophthalmologists and representatives from foundations and school districts.

The Miami Lighthouse for the Blind has received five consecutive four-star ratings from Charity Navigator, placing it among the nation's top 8% most efficient non-profit organizations and is accredited by the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving People with Blindness or Visual Impairment.

For additional information please call 786-362-7526 or 1-888-996-9847

Miami Lighthouse Wins South Florida Business Journal
Excellence In Health Care - Community Outreach Award

Miami Lighthouse received the prestigious South Florida Business Journal 2011 Excellence in Health Care Award in the Community Outreach category at an award ceremony October 6. Click here for press release.

School Board Member Raquel Regalado thanks
the Heiken Children's Vision Program

School Board Member Raquel Regalado thanks Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and the Heiken Children's Vision Program that enables uninsured, financially disadvantaged children in Miami-Dade County to receive free comprehensive eye examinations and eyeglasses at no cost. Filmed at the Miami Lighthouse 80th Ruby Jubilee Dinner Concert at the Biltmore Hotel.

Florida Heiken Children’s Vision Program Honored
by Miami-Dade County School Board

A proclamation recognizing the Miami Lighthouse Heiken Children's Vision Program for distinguished services to county schoolchildren was presented at the April 14th, 2010 meeting of the Miami-Dade County School Board.

	School Board member Dr. Martin Karp, Miami Lighthouse CEO Virginia Jacko, and Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.

Click here to read the School Board Proclamation.

Click here to read a letter of appreciation from Miami-Dade County Public Schools Assistant Superintendent, Ava G. Byrne.

Click here to read Florida Senators and Representatives Visit the Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program Serving Children throughout the State

Links of Interest:

American Optometric Association (www.aoanet.org)
Florida Optometric Association (www.floridaeyes.org)
Health Foundation of South Florida (www.hfsf.org)
Healthy Vision/Healthy People 2010 (www.healthyvision2010.org)
National Eye Institute (www.nei.nih.gov) 
The Children’s Trust (www.thechildrenstrust.org)  

Miami Lighthouse first sought and received NAC accreditation in 1978 and has consistently achieved NAC accreditation to the present time having received seven commendations with its five year accreditation renewal.

Miami Lighthouse ranks among the elite 4% of U.S. nonprofits having earned a 4-star rating for five consecutive years from Charity Navigator, the nation’s premier independent nonprofit evaluator. Receiving such a distinction reflects our sound fiscal management, responsible use of donor dollars, and financial strength.

Miami Lighthouse received the prestigious South Florida Business Journal 2011 Excellence in Health Care Award in the Community Outreach category.

Miami Lighthouse honored by being named the recipient of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce 2010 Non-Profit Business Diamond Award.

Miami Lighthouse received the prestigious 2008 Concern Award from Health Foundation of South Florida.

Miami Lighthouse received United Homecare’s 2012 Thelma Gibson Community Service Award at the 18th Annual Claude Pepper Memorial Awards Ceremony.

Miami Lighthouse's Heiken Children's Vision Program received the bronze medal for their service to thousands of under-served children in public schools at the 2012 Miami Today Gold Medal Awards Ceremony.