Black selected from more than 800 nominations as one of ten Americans to receive $125,000 award for his work in developing the Alabama FocusFirst vision care initiative

 
"Stephen Black has combined innovation and ingenuity to assure services for Alabama preschoolers," said Janice Ford Griffin, national program manager for the award. "His work is having a major impact on their well-being and their opportunities for overall development. Like other Community Health Leaders, he saw a need and an opportunity and set about 'getting things done.' "

Click here to read the full announcement.

 

Click here to watch a 4-min documentary film profiling the FocusFirst Initiative:

 

Since beginning service in 2004, FocusFirst has screened more than 40,000 children in all 67 counties of Alabama. 12.3 percent, or 5,000 children, failed the screenings and were subsequently referred to Sight Savers of Alabama for follow-up care.

For local press coverage of the award, please see the following articles:

Birmingham News Editorial: "Worth Noting: Keeping Focus on Vision"

 

Birmingham News: "FocusFirst Head Wins National Award"

 

Huntsville Times: "Founder of Vision Program Wins Health Leader Award"

 Tuscaloosa News: "Award to Help with Pre-K Screening"

Florence Times-Daily: "Founder Honored for School Vision Check Project"