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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1096 |
| Home Instruction Program for Parents of Preschool Youngsters |
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| Requester: |
Lee Johnson |
Organization: |
Sarasota YMCA |
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| Project Title: |
Home Instruction Program for Parents of Preschool Youngsters |
Date Submitted |
1/14/2003 2:59:54 PM |
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| Sponsors: |
Bennett |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| School readiness and family literacy skills |
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| Recipient: |
Sarasota YMCA |
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Contact: |
Lee Johnson |
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One South School Ave., Suite 301 |
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Contact Phone: |
(941) 951-2916 |
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Sarasota 34237 |
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| Counties: |
Sarasota |
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| Gov't Entity: |
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Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
Yes |
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| Project Description: |
| The Home Instruction Program For Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) is a program for parents with pre-school children ages 3-5. The purpose of the program is to prepare children for success in school by improving reading skills. The program provides free reading materials and teaches the parent how to be the child's first teacher. Regular meetings are scheduled between the parent and the program staff for training, answering questions, and providing encouragement. Unlike HIPPY graduates, over 30% of children graduating from childcare and head start programs serving children at less than 150% of the Federal Poverty level reach kindergarten not ready to learn. Their delays are so significant that most children never get caught up and often end up in special education and become dropouts. According to 2000 census data, Sarasota County population reflected the following makeup - 301,985 white; 14,142 Hispanic; 13,621 black; 3,708 other; 3,312 two or more races; 2,522 Asian; 717 American Indian/Native American; and 92 Native Islander. Out of this population mix, it is estimated that nearly 13,000 are under the age of five. Data reported by the school district indicated the following breakout for student enrollment - 76.5% White; 9.8% Hispanic; 9.3% Black; 2.6% Multiracial; 1.6% Asian; and .2% American Indian. Fully 17% of local school district students are enrolled in Exceptional Student Education (ESE) classes. While over 8% of the student population is deemed "limited English speaking," barely 1% have completed two or more years of classes for "Limited English" speaking students, and less than 1% are actually identified as "migrant" family students. The majority of students whose parents speak a language other than English at home are Spanish-speaking. The next most prominent language is Russian/Ukranian, in parts of South County. Probably most disturbing, 32% of all students in the school system are enrolled in the free/reduced lunch program. In 2001, 100% of HIPPY grads with the same socio-economic background reached kindergarten ready to succeed. Many HIPPY kids now in middle school are on the honor roll. Most HIPPY children (85%) and families are African American or Latino, with the most isolated young children in our county being kids of Hispanic/Latino families. Hispanic/Latino families tend to keep children at home until they are school age. Many of the parents do not speak English and the children arrive at school delayed and not exposed to developmentally appropriate activities. HIPPY helps parents to assimilate and cross trains kids in English. HIPPY statistics indicate that by second grade all Hispanic/Latino Hippy grads were in regular classroom settings learning in English and none had less than a B average. HIPPY currently has a waiting list of families needing the services of Spanish speaking home instructors. This is the only local program addressing dual-language pre-literacy and school readiness needs of Hispanic/Latino children ages 3,4 and 5, and it is the only one teaching the parents to be the child's first teacher. The demand for services is high. The YMCA feels so strongly about the merits of this program that many of the monetary programmatic deficits are covered. Even with downsizing the program and the YMCA assisting in funding, the needs are greater than one organization can meet. The HIPPY Program is vital as an initial step in breaking this cycle of poverty and illiteracy. If the service were not available away, over 100 children annually would not be prepared for kindergarten. These families would continue not to be assimilated into the community. Lacking childcare, these families do qualify under the TANF eligibility priority of "providing services to needy families so that the child may be cared for in their own home." HIPPY's home-visitor format is ideal for this situation and further promotes adult literacy and job preparation by teaching the parent to become their child's first teacher, some of whom go on to become hired as Home Visitors themselves. Practically speaking, HIPPY is cost-effective with an investment of $1,500 per child in the home as compared to an average of $4,940 for that same child in a daycare center. Sadly, the typical HIPPY household earns less than $5,000 per year. The success of HIPPY has been clearly substantiated. Fully 98% of the parents complete all 30 weeks of the program. Because Home Visitors emerge from the communities in which they live, they are able to address serious issues of high-risk behaviors, including discussions of substance abuse and family violence, with greater success than normally could be expected. Therefore, the success of the program often extends far beyond that which is measured. HIPPY directly confronts the often exceedingly low expectations minority parents may have for themselves and their children and could be their first ray of hope that things can change. Through empowerment, parents come to see themselves as effective agents of change within their own families, HIPPY, therefore supports the intent of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Legislation to build strong families. HIPPY parents continue involvement in their child's social, emotional and educational development by becoming strong advocates for their children. As attachment and bonding occur within the home, as well as modeled positive parenting techniques, there is an expected reduction in the potential for incidences of abuse and neglect. HIPPY not only builds school readiness skills, but also may be the first step toward a life-long emotional foundation between parent and child. Participating parents may be more willing to enroll in GED classes, seek mental and physical health services, seek employment skills training, and substance abuse counseling. Therefore, it is imperative that HIPPY not only continue within Sarasota County, but also that its full potential be realized. HIPPY currently reaches an estimated 25% of families that could benefit from these services. The future of HIPPY must be assured. There is no alternative pre-Literacy Program for children in extreme poverty that is cost-effective while addressing the needs of minority families facing difficulties assimilating into the community. The future could be even brighter as HIPPY staff becomes co-located at facilities dedicated to early care and education. HIPPY's past success serves as a blueprint for its future impact and continuance as a compassionate alternative for our families struggling to realize the promise of America in Sarasota County. While Sarasota is special, poverty is also a fact of life for many, and the children of poverty are our most vulnerable citizens. We must not fail them or those who work daily to make their futures brighter through education, loving care, and readiness for school.
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| Is this a water project as described in Chapter 2002-291, Laws of Florida? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| Ninety-five percent (95%) of the children completing the HIPPY curriculum will pass the Kindergarten Readiness Test. |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$100,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$150,000 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Operations |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
None |
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Cash Amount |
$ |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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Yes |
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Fiscal Year: |
2001-2002 |
Amount: |
$45,000 |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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Yes |
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Amount: |
$100,000 |
To Fund: |
Operations |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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Yes |
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Agency |
Agency For Workforce Innovation |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
No |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
County Needs Assessment & School Readiness Plan |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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No |
