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HIPPY Ottawa

HIPPY Ottawa has been offered by the Vanier Community Service Centre since December 2008. We currently have a team of 7 Home Visitors with a capacity of supporting 84 parents living in Ottawa Vanier and Ottawa South. We provide newcomer families with information that helps reduce language and cultural barriers, inform participants of services in the community, raise awareness of “how things work” in Canada, and encourages parents to actively participate in their community and school.

Child reading alphabet poster on the wall

The HIPPY Program

HIPPY strengthens families and communities by empowering mothers to actively prepare their children for success in school and life.

TheHIPPY Program

We Offer

  • A 30 weeks structured preschool curriculum program

  • Weekly in-home support and training with a Home Visitor

  • Free materials – children’s books, activity packets, and supplies

  • Group meetings to learn and develop parenting skills and break isolation (playgroups, outings, workshops)

  • End of year celebration of parents' commitment and achievements

  • Essential skills training and work-learn jobs for past HIPPY mothers

  • Capacity building to support your children’s success in school

  • Bridge-building to social networks and organizations

How it works

  • Previous HIPPY mothers are hired and trained as Home Visitors.

  • Home Visitors connect with hard to reach, vulnerable families, mostly mothers, with preschool-aged children to promote the program.

  • Interested parents commit to the 30-week evidence-based program.

  • During weekly home visits, Home Visitors show parents how to teach the curriculum activities to their children, using role-play as the method of instruction.

  • Parents learn about educational concepts and can now teach their child 15-20 minutes a day.

  • Children graduate from the program and are ready for success in school!

Outcomes

HIPPY parents strengthen relationships with their children, their English or French literacy skills, and their understanding of schools’ expectations. An added benefit for newcomer parents is the support they received during their settlement and integration process.

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