JAFSC’s HIPPY Program Empowers Local Parents and Children
Words by Erin Shockey | Photos by Al Blanton
For Patsy Borden, teaching her three-year-old granddaughter, Anna, was an opportunity to invest in Anna's future. It also launched her own career with Jasper Area Family Services Center.
Thirteen years ago, Patsy began training as a HIPPY Home Visitor with Jasper Area Family Services Center. For over 30 years, HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) has equipped parents with the skills, tools and confidence to prepare their children for success in school in their most important role as their child’s first teacher.
When the training for Patsy’s position required her to teach a child, her granddaughter suited the role perfectly. Preparing Anna for school through the HIPPY program was one of the greatest gifts Patsy could have given to her. “Anna went through the three-year program, the four-year program and the five-year program,” Patsy says. “I’ve done it with all my grandchildren since then.”
As a Home Visitor, Patsy visits the home of participating families and teaches lesson plans once a week. “Mainly, it’s to work with the parent instead of the child, because the parent should be a child’s first teacher,” Patsy says. “That’s who the child should go to when they need help.”
Children in the program typically spend 10 to 15 minutes a day working on their weekly lessons. Patsy supports parents in instructing their children as they complete lessons. Home Visitors deliver weekly lesson packets, as well as supply necessary materials such as crayons, scissors, pencils, paper, and any other supplies families need. The HIPPY program and supplies are provided at no cost to participating families.
While the program and supplies are free, the benefits for participating families are invaluable. One of the aspects of the program Patsy enjoys the most is that children receive one book a month. “I have a love of reading and I like to teach children by reading books very expressively,” she says. “This helps the story come to life for the child, so they learn to love to read. If you can read it and understand it, you can go anywhere.”
HIPPY’s core goal has remained the same for over 30 years— to ensure every HIPPY child is confident and ready for school. To learn more about HIPPY, please visit www.hippyusa.org and jafsc.org. For more information about registering for this program with JAFSC, you may contact JAFSC’s HIPPY Coordinator Kim Hobson at walkercohippy@gmail.com or by phone at (205) 522-3390.