Hearing and Vision Screening

COMMUNITY WELLNESS & SAFETY will provide:

Initial screening of scheduled students, re-screening of students who did not pass initial screening due to reasons which did not indicate immediate referral (i.e., congestion/allergies), and screening of any absentees.
Parent contact and referral to community resources for students who did not pass screenings. This includes phone and written contact. Parents of students who are uninsured and unable to afford follow up with specialist, will be assisted in obtaining free or reduced cost services for follow up.
Final Report. Upon completion of screenings, the school will receive a final report narration of screening results of students who were referred for follow up with a specialist and the communication with the parent/guardian.
State Report. The required report will be completed and submitted to DHS. A copy of the report will be submitted to the school for their records. The report includes the two-month follow up of each child after referral.

STANDARDS FOR SCREENING:

For a full description of DHS Office of Women & Children's Health Sensory Program and Laws, go to www.azdhs.gov/phs/owch/sensory.htm

Hearing Requirements (through DHS)
The Department of Health Service indicates that unless the parent or legal guardian objects and submits a statement of such objection, a public or private school shall administer a hearing screening, in accordance with R9-13-103, to each student who comes within one of the following categories during the school year:

Students enrolled in Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st, , 2nd ,6th, and 9th grades;
Students enrolled in grade 3rd, 4th, or 5thgrades, unless there is written documentation that the student had a hearing screening in or after 2nd grade.
Students enrolled in grade 7th or 8th grades, unless there is written documentation that the student had a hearing screening in or after grade 6th;
Students enrolled in grade 10th, 11th, or 12th unless there is written documentation that the student had a hearing screening in or after 9th grade;
Students receiving special education;
Student who failed a second hearing screening in the prior school year.

A hearing screening is NOT required if a:

Student is age 16 years or over:
Student's parent object in writing to the screening as allowed under A.R.S. & 36-899-04;
Written diagnosis or evaluation from an audiologist states that a student is deaf or hard of hearing;
Student has a hearing aid, an assistive listening device; or a cochlear implant

VISION Recommendations (through DHS)
In the State of Arizona, the minimum recommended vision screenings are listed below. Additional screenings beyond these guidelines are encouraged if time and resources are available.

Children Ages 9 years and younger (this includes students in kindergarten, first grade, second grade and third grade)
- Distance Visual Acuity
- Stereopsis
- Color Deficiency (only if required by school district)
Children age 10 years and older (this includes students in fourth grade, fifth grade and sixth grade)
- Distance Visual Acuity
- Near Visual Acuity (only where required)
All New Students
Students receiving Special Education Services
Students referred by a parent, teacher or other professional