The Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program will celebrate its 20th anniversary in the Pine Bluff area at noon Feb. 27 at the Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative, 912 W. Sixth Ave.
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 coordinator and homebased educators.
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 eight education service cooperatives, 14 school districts, seven community-based organizations, one Head Start Agency and one Housing Authority.
Arkansas HIPPY funding sources include Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) legislation, AmeriCorps, Pre-K ELLA and other private donors. The HIPPY Curriculum consists of 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.
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.
Marguerite Norman-Flannigan is the ARESC-HIPPY Program coordinator. Details: Call 535-2681.