Foundation for Blind Children has a seven-decade history of solving problems. As it has grown, FBC’s goals have become more and more ambitious. With the introduction of the organization’s new five year strategic plan, FBC is looking to fill the gaps that exist in the vision services landscape in Arizona. The goal is simple:
“In five years, every person with a visual impairment in Arizona has access to quality services and resources.”
But how do we achieve this goal?
Turning a Vision into Action
Across Arizona, there are hundreds, if not thousands of people with visual impairments that do not have access to the
services and resources they need. There are several reasons for this: they could be in rural parts of the state, they could be in underserved school districts, or they could just be unaware of the resources available to them.
FBC’s first strategic goal is to identify the broad range of needs for every person with a visual impairment across Arizona. This will not be easy, but it is a necessary step in getting resources and support to more Arizonans. FBC will partner with schools, nonprofits, government agencies, and local communities to try to identify those who are under-served.
Building the Infrastructure of Support
FBC serves over 2,000 people of all ages across Arizona, but there is still room to grow. It is not growth for growth’s sake; it is intentional growth that enables FBC to fill those gaps in support and services or to partner with other organizations and agencies that can.
The next three goals in FBC’s strategic plan address this need. FBC will need to grow our team, employing more dedicated, outcome-oriented vision professionals. The physical footprint of FBC will need to accommodate the new students and clients FBC may take on. This may mean more or expanded campuses and collaboration with the community where existing structures are already in place. It could also mean more professional staff who are able to travel and equipped to reach every corner of the state.
To facilitate and sustain this growth and outreach, FBC will need to secure sustainable funding that will support our efforts to identify, reach and positively impact all Arizonans impacted by vision loss.
We Won’t Be Pursuing this Strategic Plan Alone
To fulfill the strategic objectives over the next five years, FBC will need to partner with other organizations. The goal is not to serve every person in Arizona, but to make sure everyone has access to services. This could mean the resources are provided by FBC, or that they are offered by another organization or service.
FBC’s goal is to connect people with resources, whether that means an FBC instructor is showing up on their doorstep, or we are connecting them to another organization who can help.
FBC will create standards of best practices that will guide this strategy and ensure a high quality of service for Arizonans living with vision loss.
FBC’s Strategic Statement and Goals
Strategic Statement: “In five years, every person with a visual impairment in Arizona has access to quality services and resources.”
Strategic Goals
#1: FBC identifies the broad range of needs for every person with a visual impairment across Arizona.
#2: FBC has secured funding to support the current strategic plan.
#3: FBC has access to and employs strong, outcome-oriented vision professionals.
#4: FBC has the physical footprint to serve people who are visually impaired across Arizona.
#5: FBC defines best practices and associated outcomes for those we serve.
#6: FBC is a recognized resource serving the visually impaired across Arizona.
#7: FBC has a dedicated and effective board and leadership team.
Help Us Reach All Arizonans
With your support, we can close the opportunity gap for people who are visually impaired across the state. From kindergarteners in Yuma to seniors in Sun City, you can help us reach those who aren’t receiving the help they need.
