Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters

The Australian Government’s Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters helps preschool aged children prepare for school. This is supported by an investment of $32.5 million over five years.

The program will be delivered to 50 communities throughout Australia including Indigenous, refugee and disadvantaged regional and remote communities. Currently there are 22 locations operating across Australia with an additional 14 to commence in 2010 and 2011.

What is the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters?

The Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters is a home-based program that provides home tutors, books and other educational resources to help parents prepare their child for school. The program offers preschool aged children a better start in life by helping parents to improve their child’s school readiness.

The Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters is currently run in:

  • La Perouse, NSW
  • Geelong, VIC
  • Rosebery, TAS
  • Claymore (Campbelltown), NSW
  • Inala (Brisbane City), QLD
  • Sheffield, TAS
  • Windale (Newcastle), NSW
  • Riverview (Ipswich City), QLD
  • Hobart (Clarendon Vale) , TAS
  • Moonee Valley, VIC
  • Elizabeth Grove (Adelaide), SA
  • Launceston (Ravenswood) , TAS
  • Moreland, VIC
  • Girrawheen (Perth), WA
  • Alice Springs, NT
  • Winchelsea, VIC
  • Rockingham, WA
  • Charnwood, ACT
  • Colac, VIC
  • Burnie, TAS
  
  • Fitzroy, VIC
  • Smithton, TAS
  

Who runs the program?

The Brotherhood of St Laurence is responsible for managing the national implementation. They are a not-for-profit organisation with a long history of helping Australian families. The Brotherhood of St Laurence work with other not-for-profit organisations to deliver the program to the selected community.

How will the program benefit my family?

The Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters trains and supports you in taking an active role in the education of your preschool aged children. You will be able to improve your child’s literacy, numeracy and learning skills. This will help give your children the best start in life. The program aims to:

  • Foster a love of learning in your child
  • Increase your confidence and skills as your child’s first teacher
  • Increase you and your child’s participation in school and community life.

Locations commencing in 2010

The Australian Government, with the Brotherhood of St Laurence, is seeking Expressions of Interest from organisations interested in delivering the program in 2010 in:

  • Bidwell (Sydney) NSW
  • Braybrook VIC
  • Pioneer (Mt Isa) QLD
  • Cabramatta (Sydney) NSW
  • Long Gully/California Gully VIC
  • Mansfield Park (Adelaide) SA
  • Warrawong (Port Kembla) NSW
  • Robinvale VIC
  • Whyalla Stuart SA
  • North Dubbo NSW
  • Mount Morgan QLD
  • Katherine NT
  • Bowenfels (Lithgow) NSW
  • Logan Central QLD
  


2010 is the first time that the program has been targeted to communities with high Indigenous populations. This expansion will initially be limited to Katherine (Northern Territory) and Mount Isa (Queensland). It is expected that organisations applying for these locations will include specific strategies to enrol a high proportion of children (approximately 75%) who identify as Indigenous.

Further information about the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters and access to the Expression of Interest documentation is available at HIPPY Australia.

 

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