SJRC Belong provides vision screenings at Pearsall ISD

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SJRC Texas Belong’s South Regional Team held vision screenings at Pearsall ISD in November, working across the elementary, intermediate, and middle school campuses to ensure students received the vision support they need.

“This effort focused specifically on children who may struggle to participate in traditional screenings, students who cannot yet read and those in special education who may require additional assistance to access essential services,” according to SJRC Texas Belong Communications and Marketing Manager Vanessa Martin. “This initiative was made possible through a strong partnership between UT Health San Antonio and SJRC Texas, along with the leadership of Dr. Karen Schwab and the dedication of Ana Godinez, Pediatric Mobile Unit RN.

“SJRC Texas Belong serves as the Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) for 28 counties in South Central Texas, supporting children and families in the foster care system and beyond. Through community-based care, they help connect families to vital resources, stabilize placements, and strengthen local systems of support.”

Godinez devoted several days to the effort and completed more than 200 specialized vision screenings.

“Her expertise and compassion were instrumental in ensuring each student was screened thoroughly, respectfully, and with the highest level of care,” Martin said of the effort. “Through this initiative, Pearsall ISD identified a significant gap: many students were not receiving the required vision screenings needed to support classroom success and, for some, access to special education services.

“The South Regional Team was grateful for the opportunity to assist the district in addressing this critical need.”

According to Martin, approximately 100 students still need to be screened and early findings show that nearly 50 percent of the children screened, so far, will require further evaluation and/or glasses.

The team is already coordinating next steps, including connecting Pearsall ISD with partners and resources that can provide glasses and follow-up care.

“By working together, SJRC Texas Belong, UT Health San Antonio, and Pearsall ISD are helping ensure that every child has the opportunity to see clearly, learn confidently, and thrive,” Martin said. “This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to building a strong, supportive, and healthy community for all students in Pearsall.”