UA’s Stephen Black Honored by Childcare Resources

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Stephen Black, director of the Center for Ethics & Social Responsibility at The University of Alabama, has received the 2009 Children’s Advocate Award from Childcare Resources.

Black was chosen from some 20 nominees, including corporations, foundations and other individuals, in recognition of his extraordinary commitment to children in Central Alabama.

Black’s work with the FocusFirst Initiative — a cost-effective, direct response to the vision care problems of children who live in urban and rural poverty in Alabama — prompted his recognition.

In a collaboration between the UA Center for Ethics & Social Responsibility and Impact Alabama, college students serve as FocusFirst volunteers to ensure that children in Head Start programs and lower-income daycare centers are screened for vision problems and receive subsidized examinations, diagnosis and treatment.

Since the launch of the FocusFirst program in November 2004, more than 900 student volunteers from 17 campuses in Alabama have screened more than 32,000 children in 65 counties. A potential vision problem was detected in some 12.4 percent of the children, all of whom received or are receiving subsidized follow-up care from Sight Savers of Alabama.

During this academic year, more than 100 UA students have participated in more than 60 screenings across 10 Alabama counties to reach more than 1,700 children. Several UA classes partner with FocusFirst in a service-learning capacity.

Childcare Resources is Central Alabama’s resource for childcare information, training, financial assistance and parent education. A nonprofit organization and United Way partner since 1984, Childcare Resources provides a range of services to make quality childcare available in Blount, Jefferson, Shelby and Walker Counties.