Frequently Asked Questions

+ How much does CCVI cost?

Funding to attend CCVI comes from a variety of sources. It costs an average of $40,000 to educate each child at CCVI. Many students at CCVI are referred from their home school districts in the Missouri or Kansas State Early Childhood programs and are funded through that method. Other parents choose to pay out of pocket. Since the range of services needed depends entirely on each individual student, there is no set cost to attend CCVI. Our team is willing to work with you and find available resources so that every child can attend and reach their highest potential.

+ Are there specialized therapies my child can receive?

Yes, CCVI provides direct therapy services throughout the school year. Every child receives individual programming based on their goals, and therapies are always considered. Click here for a list of our specialized therapy options. Every child that receives therapy from CCVI professionals has a visual impairment. While a child can have multiple disabilities, including visual impairment, their must be a vision component of service for a child to attend.

CCVI also offers Aquatic Therapy for CCVI students, parents, and alumni (ages six months to nine years). The properties of the water can have positive influences on muscle tone, strength and control, flexibility, pain management, and overall fitness. This is why Children's Center for the Visually Impaired is home to a heated, fully-accessible pool.

For children with visual impairments specifically, Aquatic Therapy is beneficial due to its rich sensory feedback; the use of moving water increases visual attention and promotes ease of movement in a reduced gravity environment.⠀

+ Does CCVI offer extracurricular activities?

CCVI is more than a school; it's a community. Throughout the school year, CCVI students take field trips to immerse themselves in the Kansas City area and experience real world examples of the situations they will face as they grow. Whether it's taking public transportation on the KC Streetcar, searching for beeping eggs in an egg hunt in Loose Park, or crossing streets downtown, learning about the sighted world is an essential extracurricular activity that students can participate in. The organization also co-hosts Kansas City Beep Kickball as part of the Alphapointe's E.Y.E. Program (Expanding Youth Experiences). Beep Kickball is open to all kids ages 3-13 and can be adapted to the needs of each student wanting to play. Contact Beep Kickball Commissioner, Jake McLaughlin, jmclaughlin@alphapointe.org.

+ Does CCVI offer after school care?

CCVI does not currently offer after school care.

+ How is CCVI funded?

CCVI does its best to serve every visually impaired child seeking programming, regardless of their financial background. The five largest sources of income for the organization are: tuition and local contracts, special events, contributions, United Way, and investment gain. 75 cents of every dollar donated to CCVI goes toward essential programs that directly put resources in the hands of children birth through age eight.

+ What CCVI's most popular event?

The CCVI Trolley Run is one of the largest timed 4-mile races in the country. Every year, thousands of participants gather on the streets of Waldo, Brookside, and the Country Club Plaza to celebrate the success of CCVI students. This event, which takes place annually in late-April, has been a historic part of CCVI and the Kansas City community for 35 years. You can find out more about the Trolley Run by visiting trolleyrun.org.

+ Do you need volunteers?

CCVI teaches students that helping others is an essential part of building a community. Every year, volunteers assist CCVI events and demonstrate that committment as role models. Volunteer registration typically opens a month or two from event day. To be notified of when registration opens, click here.

CCVI also has a long history of hosting classroom volunteers or high school students that can help the teachers.

+ Where does a donation go?

For every dollar raised, 75% goes toward programs at CCVI. These programs include specialized services and therapies, the CCVI center-based, and the CCVI early intervention in-home program. That 75 cents can be spent on braille writers or scholarships for children or art supplies for a classroom. Ten percent of every dollar provides administration resources to serve the program staff. Eight percent provides the development team resources to host events like the CCVI Trolley Run. Seven percent goes towards building maintenance of the Children's Center Campus.

+ How can I host a fundraiser?

A third party fundraiser is an excellent way to donate to CCVI and get your community involved in helping children with visual impairments. There are variety of fundraising ideas found on CCVI's Fundraising Tips blog. Some of the fundraisers include hosting a restaurant night, a trivia night, an auction, a luncheon, and a shirt sale; however there are many more ideas you can incorporate. Contact development@ccvi.org to learn more or find out how to get started.

+ Why should I donate?

CCVI is one of five schools in the nation to serve children who are blind or visually impaired. It is the only school of its kind in the Kansas City area and provides services within a 150 mile radius of the Children's Center Campus. Since 85% of what a child learns before the age of five is learned experientially through sight. This is why reaching children birth to age eight is so essential. Children that attend CCVI learn compensatory strategies to ensure they are ready for kindergarten and can reach their highest potential in the sighted world.

+ Can I make a gift in honor or memory of someone?

Yes, to make a tribute donation online, visit ccvi.org/give and enter the name of the honoree. To make a tribute donation via check, include the honoree’s name and contact information of who should be notified.

+ How do I cancel or change my credit card information on a recurring donation?

CCVI is grateful that you have chosen to have an immediate impact on the life of a child. You can contact development@ccvi.org for any billing questions or changes.

+ Is my gift tax-deductible? How do I get a tax receipt?

All donations to CCVI are 100% tax deductible. Contact development@ccvi.org to obtain a copy of your tax receipt.