We are excited to announce that Michigan will officially join the Babies Count Project!
What is Babies Count?
Babies Count is a national registry that tracks young children, ages birth to three, who are blind or low vision (BLV). This registry collaborates with organizations to collect standardized data on the children, their visual conditions, and the systems designed to support them and their families.
What does this mean for Michigan?
In other states, information from this registry has been used to inform policy and budget decisions, expand programs, advance medical and educational research, and monitor the evolving trends in childhood blindness. For Michigan, the goal of participating in this project is to improve services for children who are BLV and their families, enhance understanding of specific visual conditions, and provide training, resources, and strategies to ensure these children are prepared for a literacy-rich educational experience.
When does it begin?
We will hold our first informational meetings in winter 2025, with full implementation set for the fall. We look forward to collaborating with school personnel who serve children in Michigan who are BLV, ages birth to three.
For more information, please contact Johanna Brutvan at [email protected].