FEDERAL member for Page Kevin Hogan has urged local Indigenous communities to nominate for an Australian Government initiative that helps parents and carers put their children on the path to school success.
He said the Federal Government has launched the process for selecting the locations of the next 25 sites for the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY).
The additional sites, to be operational from early 2015, would focus on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Mr Hogan said.
“The Government has a clear commitment to empowering local Indigenous communities through better access to education and setting a solid foundation for future success,” he said.
“Part of this includes recognising the challenges that isolation poses for many indigenous communities.
“HIPPY provides families with regular in-home support and works with them to help put their kids on the path to school success from an early age.”
The previous round of 25 locations were announced by Assistant Minister for Education Sussan Ley late last year and included communities such as East Kimberley (WA), Palmerston (NT), East Gippsland (Vic), Murray Bridge (SA), Palm Island (Qld) and Armidale (NSW).
HIPPY is a home-based initiative that supports parents and carers with regular visits from tutors to help integrate learning activities and materials into daily family life.
Senator Scullion said communities had until February 14 this year to nominate.
“I strongly encourage Indigenous communities interested in being considered for HIPPY to put forward a nomination,” Mr Hogan said.
“Once all sites are up and running from early 2015, about 4000 children and their families will be supported by the program each year.”
The Brotherhood of St Laurence delivers HIPPY for the Australian Government, and more than $100 million has been committed to the program.
For more information about HIPPY and the community nomination process visit www.education.gov.au/home-interaction-program-parents-and-youngsters-hippy or call (02) 6240 7308 for nomination details.
