Indigenous communities in the Parkes Electorate can now nominate for an Australian Government initiative that helps parents and carers put their children on the path to school success.
Mark Coulton MP is delighted to announce that Assistant Minister for Education Sussan Ley and Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion have launched the process for selecting the locations of the next 25 sites from across Australia for the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY).
Ms Ley said HIPPY was a home-based initiative that supported parents and carers with regular visits from tutors to help integrate learning activities and materials into daily family life.
“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,” Ms Ley said.
Mr Coulton said the additional sites, to be operational from early 2015, would focus on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
“The Coalition has a clear commitment to empowering local Indigenous communities through better access to education and setting a solid foundation for future success,” Mr Coulton said.
“Part of this includes recognising the challenges that isolation poses for many indigenous communities.”
Mr Coulton went on to say that communities had until 14 February 2014 to nominate.
“I strongly encourage Indigenous communities interested in being considered for HIPPY to put forward a nomination,” Mr Coulton added.
“Our Electorate was successful in obtaining a HIPPY site for Moree in the previous round of funding.“
Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion said the Brotherhood of St Laurence delivered HIPPY for the Australian Government, and more than $100 million had been committed to the program.
“Once all sites are up and running from early 2015, about 4000 children and their families will be supported by the program each year,” Senator Scullion said.
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.
