Starting a Site
Current Funding
The Australian Government committed $32.5 million over five years to roll out the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters nationally.
There are currently 51 HIPPY sites in operation covering each Australian state and territory funded through this government commitment.
The final 15 locations in the roll-out commenced in 2011. This was the last round of funding through the federal roll-out.
HIPPY Australia suggests that you don’t rely solely on federal funding to start a program. We advise you to seek alternate possible sources (eg. State, philanthropic, corporate etc).
Are you Interested in starting a HIPPY site?
Community members:
If you are interested in the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters for your community you need to:
- Research the program - Find out as much as you can about how it operates, read through the resources available on this website.
- Convene a meeting with other community representatives – speak with members of the community about the program and with organizations that would support HIPPY.
- Who will run the program – Is there an organisation in your community that has experience working with children and families and has the capacity to deliver HIPPY (access to appropriate physical space, ability to employ and manage staff, acquit and manage funding, etc)?
- Undertake a community needs assessment; who would HIPPY work with in your community, would HIPPY be appropriate and does the community see a need for HIPPY? Can you provide data on local barriers to participation and access for families with young children?
Organisations:
If your organisation is interested in establishing a HIPPY site, you should read as much information on this website as you can to gain an understanding of the program. You should then contact HIPPY Australia to make initial contact and resolve any questions you may have about the program. Once inital contact has been established, and you think that HIPPY would be good for your community, you can request a copy of the Support Document for Potential HIPPY Service Providers.
HIPPY is an internationally licensed program and service providers of HIPPY are required to be
• not for profit organizations
• financially viable
• funded appropriately
As mentioned above, 2011 saw the last phase of new sites through the national the roll out and the federal funding for sites has now been allocated – so no more locations will be selected under this funding arrangement. HIPPY Australia suggests that you don’t rely solely on federal funding to start a program. We advise you to seek alternate possible sources for funding a HIPPY site (eg. Philanthropic, state, corporate etc). We are happy to discuss approximate costs etc to give you an idea of the costs involved in running a HIPPY site. The biggest costs are around the site coordinator salary, home tutor wages and program materials.
Please keep in mind that organisations wishing to start a HIPPY program need to complete an application process, and are required to sign, and adhere to, a license with HIPPY Australia. HIPPY is an international licensed program delivered by not for profit organizations. Organisations need to demonstrate their capacity to deliver, undergo a community needs assessment and demonstrate financial viability. Each program must operate within the program structure agreed to in the license. HIPPY programs are not for profit and families are not charged for the service.
Pictured: An artwork created by a HIPPY tutor from La Perouse in February 2008 – symbolising how HIPPY brings us all together.