Important Notice
The LEHP children’s vision screening program is for screening purposes only.
It is critical that persons undergoing screening and/or their parents or guardians understand that this is NOT a substitute for a comprehensive eye examination.
It aims to identify ‘common vision problems’ and suggest a referral to an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist when required.
Part 1
Preparation for Conducting a Training Workshop
Request for Training –
Ideally a Lions Club, Zone or District will request a training session. Lions Clubs conducting screenings should be a registered LEHP Supporting Club, which can be arranged by paying the annual member levy.
A request may also come through the LEHP National Office, a LEHP State Representative or the Training Manager.
As a LEHP Vision Screening Instructor you will be responsible to liaise with the requesting entity to arrange a suitable time and location to conduct the training and invite Lion volunteers.
It is important that those attending training understand the process leading up to and involved in conducting a LEHP Vision Screening Session.
These are outlined in this document A Guide to Conducting a LEHP Vision Screening Session, a copy of which could be provided to potential training session participants, if they do not already have one.
Types of Training –
- A workshop, to explain how to access and complete the On-line Training Course.
(Part 2 of this course – Conducting an Online Access Workshop) - A ‘Hands-on Workshop’, where the equipment used at the four ‘screening stations’ and screening processes are demonstrated.
(Part 3, 4 and 5 of this course – Conducting a ‘hands-on workshop’ – The Activities and Tips and After the Screening) - A ‘Zoom Workshop’ Session, for volunteers joining an existing screening team, where distance or time commitments make it impractical for an Instructor to visit. In this case participants must complete the online training before participating in the workshop. It would also be ideal, but not necessary, for the trainee to have access to the screening equipment. Their attendance at a practical screening session must be supervised by a Facilitator, who will include on the Screening Session sign on sheet, that they have attended the ‘Zoom Workshop’ training and have been observed correctly conducting station activities at the screening. If you do not have Admin access to Zoom yourself, when you need it, please contact the National Office to set up a session for your chosen time.
- A ‘Sample Screening’, where a small number of candidates are screened.
A school or kindergarten, that is keen to have a vision screening session, could be asked to invite a small number (under 20) of children to participate in a demonstration screening for training purposes. The usual agreement with the organisation and parent permission forms will need to be supplied and processed. - Facilitator Training, where those who are interested and are identified as capable of organising and conducting screenings, and who have also completed the ‘on-line’, ‘hands-on workshop’ and ‘sample screening’ training above (or have observed at an actual screening) are taken through the liaison with screening locations, preparatory and finalisation paperwork and downloading of reports from the camera, in more detail.
(Part 6 of this course – Conducting an Online Access Workshop – Facilitator Training)
Invitations –
The LEHP Training Manager maintains a list of all Lions and Non-Lion volunteers who have completed each of the three stages of training.
When you decide where you will be running a training session, please contact them to obtain the names of Lions who live in the surrounding area and have completed some training, that could be invited.
Only Lions, Partners or Leos can be considered for ‘Facilitator’ training.
In your invitation be clear about the type of training you will be offering, the time and location of the training session, what you want volunteers to bring (such as name tag, a pen, notebook and evidence of their working with children credentials etc.), any other arrangements (such as parking, meals, dress code, any costs etc.).
A group of 5 to 15 participants is preferable.
Training Room –
Online course Access training can be done almost anywhere. However it is important that access to a computer and the internet is available, in order to show how to access the course and what it looks like. Some sessions may also be arranged so that a small number of participants can actually work through the course and register their completion.
If this is the case, a copy of the Children’s Vision Screening Program Screener Manual should be on hand.
A ‘Hands-on Workshop’ or ‘Facilitator’ training session requires a suitable venue with toilet facilities with adequate space that provides seating for group discussion and where several tables can be used to display and demonstrate the equipment used at each of the four screening stations.
The location should be easily accessible by car and public transport, if possible.
In the case of workshop training, a copy of the Children’s Vision Screening Program Facilitator Manual should be on hand.
If a Sample Screening is to be run, the normal screening room equipment and requirements, such as permission forms, would apply.
Equipment –
Screening equipment will need to be booked for any ‘Hands-on Workshop’ or ‘Sample Screening’ training.
This can be arranged through the LEHP Office or a LEHP representative in your District.
Timing –
The ‘Online Course Access’ session should take less than one hour (including time for questions and discussion). Extra time should be allowed if participants are going to be expected to actually complete the course during the session (about one hour each).
The ‘Hands-on Workshop’, to learn about using the equipment should take about 90 minutes, including explanations and time for everyone to try out the equipment located at each ‘station’ and be assessed as competent at each.
For ‘Facilitator’ training, allow an extra 30 to 40 minutes after a ‘Workshop’ session.
Weekday/evening or weekend sessions should all be considered.
The timing of the start of the session should allow for travel to the venue prior to the commencement of the day or night session and return to home at a reasonable hour afterwards.
Presenting –
- Make sure that you are fully prepared for conducting a training session.
- Have a Training Session Plan, that is to be used as a guide to conduct each type of session to ensure nothing is accidentally missed, and any other notes, along with examples of the Vision Screening paperwork and the screening equipment.
- Arrive prior to the start of the training so you can setup the room and arrange the equipment and paperwork.
- Make sure that you have a project sign-on sheet to record the attendee details for training record and insurance purposes.
For a ‘Workshop’ training session you may like to use this Training Session Sign-On Sheet - Ensure that yourself and others attending have name tags, particularly if they may not be known to each other.
- Work through the training in a methodical and steady method, pausing to take questions as you go.
- Feel free to adapt the session to suit yourself or the participants needs, ensuring that the core points are covered.
- Take notes during the session on anything that is new to you or may be helpful to others and encourage participants to do the same.
For tips on making presentations see the document Giving a Presentation
After the Training Session –
Clean up the venue and dispose of any rubbish.
Use the Sign on Sheets to report to the LEHP Training Manager;
- The Date of training.
- Nature of the training (‘Online’, ‘Zoom Workshop’, ‘Hands-on Workshop’ and/or ‘Sample Screening’).
- Instructor present.
- A list of participants.
- Each station at which they were deemed competent.
- Whether they presented their ‘Working With Children’ credentials.
Also forward any feedback that was received from participants and any comments of your own on changes, additions or deletions that could be made to the session outline and screening processes.
If photos were taken of the group at the time please send them to the National Office for use in LEHP publicity.
Contact participants a few weeks after the session to determine whether they are going to proceed with further training or screening activities and if they need any help.
To assist with conducting the training sessions, download these documents: Checklist for Conducting Training Sessions and Training Sessions Plan
