HIPPY stands for Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters. HIPPY is a free home-based program offered to children between the ages of 2-5 who reside in the Irving Independent School District school zone. The foundation of the HIPPY program is, “All children can learn” and “All parents want what’s best for their children”.  Our program curriculum focuses on Literacy, Math, Science, Motor, and Language.  Throughout the school year, home instructors conduct weekly home visits to role play with parents and inform them about community events. The purpose of the HIPPY program is to work with parents and help them prepare their children for academic success.

A+ HIPPY
In 2016, Irving ISD HIPPY expanded and now offers instruction for families that have 3, 4, or 5-year-old children that have been identified or diagnosed with an Autism disability. The HIPPY program staff works closely with the HIPPY state office and the UNT Kristin Farmer Autism Center (KFAC) to receive the required training to implement on A+ families.

Benefits

• Free curriculum, books, and supplies.
• Weekly instruction out of the comfort of your own home.
• The child’s pre-academic skills improve.
• Parent involvement in school increases.
• Increased interaction between parent and child.
• Opportunity for the child to attend summer school for pre-k preparation.
• Community resources are offered.
• FFF- Food, Fit & Fun instruction.
• Prevention efforts
• Family support
• Monthly Parent Workshops

HIPPY Field Trips
The HIPPY program receives sponsorship from the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) to offer free field trips for HIPPY families throughout the academic school year. These educational excursions provide academic enrichment and social experiences for parents and children. Field trip locations include the Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas Arboretum, and Perot Museum of Science.

HIPPY Scholarship
In 2013, the first HIPPY academic scholarship was awarded. The goal of the HIPPY scholarship is to provide continued learning opportunities for high school seniors who graduate from the HIPPY program.

HIPPY Worldwide

The HIPPY program was founded by Dr. Avima Lombard in 1969 in Jerusalem, Israel. The NCJW Research Institute for Innovation in Education sponsored the development of the HIPPY Program. In 1975, the Israeli Ministry of Education adopted HIPPY as a national home-based early childhood program. In the 1980s, HIPPY began spreading around the world and the first program began in the U.S. in Richmond, VA. In 1988, the first Texas program started in Dallas with Carla Weir Mowell as the first HIPPY coordinator in Texas. HIPPY was the first US program to serve Spanish immigrants. Ten years later, Mrs. Carla Mowell established the HIPPY Texas State office at the University of North Texas. In 2000, HIPPY began at the Irving Independent School District. In 2016, HIPPY Irving participated in a pilot program that identifies families with children that may be exhibiting or have been diagnosed with Autism. HIPPY is proudly served worldwide in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, and the USA.  

HIEPE 

The Home Instruction Extension for Parents as Educators program focuses on helping parents understand the importance of social-emotional learning and the impact it has on student learning. Parents participating in the HIEPE program receive 1:1 weekly coaching and monthly workshops. The HIEPE program equips parents with tools to help their children comprehend their emotions by increasing self-awareness, positive behaviors, responsibility, and empathy for others. The goal is to equip parents and students with SEL traits that provide a solid foundation for positive learning in and outside of the classroom. Additionally, parents receive parent life skill tips, as well as guidance on food and nutrition.