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.
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:
7 Education Service Cooperatives
16 School Districts
6 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, the Walton Family Foundation, Pre-K ELLA, TANF
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.
Click here for Arkansas HIPPY Programs.
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