The House Appropriations Subcommittee: Elementary and Secondary Education heard HB1408 and recommended to report with amendments to the full House Appropriations Committee on a 6-0 vote.

The Subcommittee recommended language to clarify the permissive nature of the improved screening protocols and pilot programming for a small portion of the Commonwealth.

To follow the progress of HB1408 click here.

§ 22.1-273 of the Code of Virginia requires school based vision screenings for students in K, 3rd, 7th, and 10th grades.  The Code was first introduced in 1950 and, with only some minor changes in 1980, has had no substantial updates.
​
HB1408 seeks to update protocols for school based vision screenings and provide school divisions with opportunities to improve vision standards and services for their students. Delegate Lee Ware is the Chief Patron of HB1408 and Delegate Roxann Robinson, OD is the Bill’s Chief Co-Patron.

Today the Bill was introduced in the House Education Committee and passed to Appropriations on a 20-0 vote.  There is a budget amendment in conjunction to the Bill offering funds to school divisions across the Commonwealth to improve school based vision screenings by introducing comprehensive vision programming such as the Conexus VisioCheck program.

To follow the progress of HB1408 click here. 

On January 19th, Conexus delivered 20 pairs of glasses to students at Elizabeth Scott Elementary in Chesterfield County.  Elizabeth Scott was one of 16 Title I Chesterfield County Elementary schools selected to participate in Conexus programming in conjunction with a study performed by VCU.  Students at Elizabeth Scott Elementary had their vision screened through Conexus’ technology-based comprehensive children’s programming and those identified as needing follow-up vision care were invited to receive a free eye exam and glasses through the services of a mobile vision clinic right in their own school! 

Through the generous support of our partners at VSP, students got to pick out their own frames from a wide selection including named brands like Nike, Nine West, and XGames and the prescriptions were sent off for lab services in FL.  In just a few short weeks, the glasses were returned for dispensing at the school.
​
 Click here to see some of the amazing footage from the day.

The staff at Virginia Eye Institute’s Watkins Center location enjoyed a delicious hot breakfast in celebration of their fundraising efforts in the holiday Gift of Light Campaign.  Under the leadership of Michael Cuffee, the Watkins Center office more than tripled their efforts from 2015 and raised $1,583.93 in support of Conexus school-based programs, narrowly beating out the three-time winners from the Forest Location by just $7.26!!

Virginia Eye Institue CEO Brad Smith joined Conexus President and CEO Tim Gresham in congratulating the Watkins staff and helped Michael Cuffee recognize his top fundraising associate, Pam Combs, who raised a whopping $641.82 over the 4 weeks of the Campaign!!!
​
Congratulations to all of our Virginia Eye Institute locations for an amazing campaign that raised over $18,000 in support of improved school based vision programs for area students!!

Taylor and Parrish Construction is stepping up again this year to act as the presenting sponsor of the 26th Annual Conexus Golf Classic.  Last year T&P advanced their sponsorship level from Co-Presenting Sponsor to the lead event sponsor and elevated the event to one of the most successful in recent history!  Under the leadership of John Locher, Partner, T&P and longtime tournament chairman, the 2016 tournament raised over $107,000 and brought in several new teams and sponsors.
​
“We are very pleased to have John’s continued leadership and support of the Golf Classic and look forward to another excellent year,” said Tim Gresham, Conexus President and CEO.