A national early childhood education program is expanding into rural Maine through a new partnership with BangorHousing, bringing home visiting services directly to families living in public housing.
Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters, or HIPPY, has launched a new site in Bangor that will begin serving about 10 families this summer with a school-readiness curriculum for children entering kindergarten.
The program is expected to expand this fall to serve an additional 10 to 15 families through its curriculum for children beginning at age 2.
BangorHousing provides affordable housing for more than 440 low-and moderate-income families in Penobscot County.
“BangorHousing’s commitment to serving whole families, not just households, is what makes this possible, and we’re excited to see what it means for children and parents in Bangor,” said Benny Feifel, CEO at HIPPY International.
HIPPY has operated in the United States for nearly 40 years and serves more than 12,000 children and families through nearly 100 sites. The program trains peer home visitors to help parents build early literacy, math and development skills with their preschool-aged children.
“For us, the work has never been just about putting a roof over a family’s head; it’s about what happens inside that home,” said Elizabeth Marsh, director of resident services at BangorHousing. “HIPPY is a natural extension of our mission: meeting families where they are, building on their strengths and expanding two-generation supports that set the foundation for long-term success.”
