AOA Names Second-Round K.I.D.S. Grants Winning Projects

The AOA has announced the second-round winning projects for the Keeping Injuries Down in Sports (K.I.D.S.) State Association Grant program, sponsored by Liberty Sport.

The purpose of the grants is to provide funding assistance for projects that support public education and awareness of the prevention of sports-related eye injuries through the use of appropriate personal protective eyewear.

A total of $50,000 was awarded to six state association applicants:

MississippiOptometric Association - Save A Sport's Sight (SASSi)

The Mississippi Optometric Association's Save A Sport's Sight (SASSi) program is designed to educate optometrists on their role in the prevention of sports-related eye injuries. The program will also increase awareness in public and private schools, Parks and Recreation departments and the Mississippi State Legislature. A web page will be established on the MOA website devoted to the prevention of sports-related eye injuries. Strategies and activities include:

the developing of informational kits to be distributed
creating a summary sheet for legislators
creating a portable display for conferences and a speaker's bureau

South DakotaOptometric Society - SD K.I.D.S.

The South Dakota Optometric Society's SD KIDS program will use the approach of airing 30-second eye safety radio messages statewide on South Dakota Broadcasters Association member stations making the public aware that wearing protective eyewear reduces eye injury.

Michigan Optometric Association - Sports Protection and Education for Children - (S.P.E.C.)

The Michigan Optometric Association's Sports Protection and Education for Children-S.P.E.C. program will consist of a pre-composed PowerPoint presentation and material kit for MOA member optometrist to provide seminars and educate school coaches, nurses, directors, parents and administrators and dispense the kits to those in attendance. Displays and brochures will be developed for MOA optometrists educating the public about the importance of personal protective eyewear for children involved in sports.

IowaOptometric Association - Time Out - A Program for Sports Eye Safety

Iowa Optometric Association's Time Out-A program for sports eye safety program is directed at children between the ages of five and seventeen years of age. IOA will initiate contact with sports-related organizations such as the Iowa Games and Iowa Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. A mailing campaign will consist of educational posters and brochures being developed and distributed to schools and optometrists.

NebraskaOptometric Association - Winning With Eye Safety - Promotion of Protective Eyewear in Sports

Nebraska Optometric Association plans a public awareness campaign aimed at educating the public about sports-related eye injuries and to encourage the use of protective eyewear during recreational activities. The project included a four week targeted radio campaign scheduled to run during the National Youth Sports Safety Month in April 2008.

Optometric Physicians of Washington/ Imagine Children's Museum - Can You See How I See?

The Optometric Physicians of Washington is collaborating with the Imagine Children's Museum to host an annual event called "Can You See How I See?" which will be held October 11, 2008. The goals of the sports injury portion of the event will include:

experiments to stimulate the eye
examples of protective eyewear
informational brochures about injury prevention
a local sports figure will talk about the importance of eye safety