Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative (ARESC) began serving families through the HIPPY Program in 1989.Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) is an evidenced-based program that works with families in the home to support parents in their critical role as their child's first and most important teacher. HIPPY is a free 30 week home visiting program to support families in preparing their children for kindergarten. HIPPY strengthens communities and families by empowering parents to actively prepare their children for success in school. Parents of 2,3, 4, and 5 year old children are provided with a set of carefully developed curriculum, books and materials designed to strengthen their children's cognitive skills, early literacy skills, social/emotional and physical development. The lessons and books are structured for approximately 15 to 20 minutes of daily time between parent and child. HIPPY lessons curriculum is quality approved to provide a learning experience through skills that correspond with the Arkansas Pre-K Curriculum Frameworks to enhance the child's readiness for kindergarten. Parent group meetings are held monthly in each school district to encourage parents with speakers, crafts, and role play, focusing on interaction among the parents with the same age children. HIPPY programs serve families from diverse ethnic and geographic groups across the nation. As a result, HIPPY is closing the achievement gap by serving more than 15,000 families in almost 140 communities across the country.
