HIPPY Overview

The HIPPY Beginning

The Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters Program (HIPPY) began in 1969 at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel by Dr. Avima Lombard and a team of early childhood educators. In 1984, the first HIPPY programs began in the United States and Arkansas joined the network of HIPPY programs in 1986. 

What is HIPPY?

HIPPY is a 30 week school readiness-parent involvement program for parents of three, four and some five year-old children. Most programs operate concurrently with the school year and are staffed by a professional coordinator and well-trained homebased educators. 

HIPPY Fact Sheet in English
HIPPY Fact Sheet in Spanish 

State HIPPY Sponsors

There are 31 funded agencies providing in-home parent education and support in 69 counties to children and families. Arkansas HIPPY programs are sponsored by a variety of organizations which include:

8 Education Service Cooperatives
14 School Districts
7 Community-based Organizations
1 Head Start Agency
1 Housing Authority

Arkansas HIPPY programs receive funding from several sources, the majority coming from Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) legislation originally passed in 1991. Funding is also provided for ABC through passage of Act 1841, now Act 1332. Passage of this act earmarked dollars for early childhood programs including HIPPY. In 2004, Act 49 was enacted to provide grants to local programs like HIPPY. Funding is also provided by AmeriCorps, Pre-K ELLA, and other private donors.

The HIPPY Curriculum

The HIPPY curriculum consists of 9 storybooks, 30 age and developmentally appropriate curriculum packets and a set of colored shapes. Programs also provide other teaching supplies such as glue, scissors, pencils, and crayons. 

Role of Arkansas Children’s Hospital

Each Arkansas HIPPY program has an operating agreement with Arkansas Children's Hospital, the state sponsoring agency. This agreement entitles local programs to purchase the HIPPY curriculum, attend all workshops, trainings, and conferences sponsored by Arkansas HIPPY. Program assessments are conducted annually at each site to ensure that appropriate services are provided to families. 

Who Are the HIPPY Partners?

HIPPY often partners with the Division of Childcare and Early Childhood Education, local school districts, Title I, Even Start, Head Start, AmeriCorps, Meld, and the Departments of Education and Health. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention cited HIPPY as a model program.