A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

The Department of Education has funded parent information and resource centers in 28 states from Maine to California to be another link in the network that helps families and schools together support children's learning. Increasing parental involvement in children's learning is an integral component of increasing their achievement.

The parent center grants, awarded under Title IV of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, will average $355,000 a year for four years. New centers in additional States will be funded if increased appropriations are received. The grants were awarded to nonprofit organizations who will collaborate with schools, institutions of higher education, social service agencies, and other nonprofit organizations to (1) increase parents' knowledge of and confidence in child-rearing activities, (2) strengthen partnerships between parents and professionals in meeting the educational needs of pre-school aged children (beginning at birth) and school-aged children; and (3) enhance the developmental progress of the children assisted under the program.

Each center serves the entire state or a region within the state in which it is located. While information and assistance may be provided to any parent, the centers are required to identify and serve areas with high concentrations of low-income, minority, and limited-English proficient parents.

The centers share a common objective to initiate or expand opportunities for parents to be involved in their children's learning, but they have designed their outreach strategies and services to emphasize local priorities and conditions. Collectively, there is a rich variety of practices including parent-to-parent training activities, hotlines, mobile training teams, resource and lending libraries, support groups, and referral networks.

All of the centers provide information and training to some parents of pre-school aged children through either the Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) or the Parents As Teachers (PAT) program. Both HIPPY and PAT are widely replicated, home- based models that have proven to be highly effective in helping parents prepare their children for school success. HIPPY provides parents with a curriculum, lesson plan, and materials to help them work with their three, four, and five year old children on school readiness skills. Twice a month, a trained paraprofessional--often a neighborhood parent--visits the home to familiarize parents with the upcoming lessons through discussion and role-playing. On the alternating weeks, the parents, paraprofessionals, and program coordinators meet to discuss topics such as parenting and health.

The Parents as Teachers program is based on the concept that a child's first three years of life are critical in laying the foundation for school and life success, and that parents, as their children's first teachers, are their most influential teachers as well. The program also offers a two-year component for 4 and 5 year olds. Certified parent educators make monthly home visits to provide information about child development and assist parents in thinking of and devising stimulating and enjoyable activities that encourage children's learning. Group meetings also are held on a monthly basis for parents to share experiences and insights and obtain information concerning their children or other issues. The program makes a special effort to link parents with other service providers in the community to meet needs that it cannot address.

The parent center abstracts in this packet give a more detailed account of the goals and activities of each center. Please contact the centers directly for information about the specific activities or areas served.

For additional information on HIPPY and PAT contact:

Miriam Westheimer
Executive Director
HIPPY USA
c/o Teachers College Box 113
525 W. 120th Street
New York, NY 10027
Telephone: 212-678-3500
Fax: 212-678-4136

Mildred Winter
Executive Director
PAT National Center, Inc.
10176 Corporate Square Drive
St. Louis, MO 63132
Telephone: 314-432-4330
Fax: 314-432-8963

###

[Title Page]

[Ahmium Education, Inc.]