2013 Alabama State HIPPY Conference

On March 13^th we began our State HIPPY Conference in Montgomery, Alabama with a stop at the Statehouse. Many of the HIPPY sites across the State had made baskets loaded with goodies and letters from families within our programs for their Senators and State Representatives. We made baskets for Senator Beasley and Representative Forte. We were unable to see Senator Beasley but enjoyed our visit with Forte as you can see in the picture. HIPPY sites make this visit every year to show our appreciation for those that support our programs and to try and rustle up new supporters.

Once we left the Statehouse we went to our conference location to stay until Friday afternoon. Much planning went into this conference as it was most enjoyable; refreshing and renewed in us the sense of dedication we need in order to make our programs and our families so much more successful. We had workshops on Bullying, Building Vocabulary, Early Math Experiences, Why Early Education Matters, The Development of Oral Language, and Reading: Building the Foundation and we received updates on the current Legislative Issues from Rep. Joe Hubbard. There were a couple of sessions where we were all able to share the great things we have done within our own programs so that we may receive new ideas from each other that may help us in improving our successes.

On Thursday we had a luncheon to honor HIPPY Heroes. To our great delight we were privileged to hear Kindergarten students from Wetumpka Elementary sing to us “I like School” and “We Appreciate You.” After that we listened a little girl (current HIPPY child) spoke to us about what she has learned and then we heard from her mother and how the HIPPY program has made a difference in her life. She let us know that HIPPY means Hope. Our Keynote speaker was the Honorable Sue Bell Cobb, first female Chief Justice in Alabama. She praised HIPPY for the great work the program is doing in giving hope to the families we serve. After Mrs. Cobb spoke to us it was then time to honor our HIPPY Heroes. This year two of our very own were nominated for the award, Mrs. Deltonya Warren, Director of instruction/HIPPY for the Eufaula City School System and Catherine Chapman, Assistant Coordinator for the HIPPY Program.

Friday ended with our Site awards. Proudly our program received many awards. We were given awards for Creativity, Outreach, Public Relations, VIP Home Visits, Community Collaboration, Going the Extra Mile, Big Ideas, ETO Extraordinary Efforts, Johnny on the Spot, Good Neighbor, and Most Creative Group Meeting just to name a few. Our program received 15 in all.

HIPPY is truly an amazing program and Eufaula is blessed to have such a program. Our team is dedicated and wants to be able to serve all of the families in the area with children aged 3-5. Don’t let this program be Eufaula’s best kept secret. We are here and ready to serve. Spread the word to your neighbors and friends. We are now taking applications for next fall. If your child will be 3-5 years old by September 1, 2013 and you are interested in helping your child be all he or she can be then we are here to help. If you would like more information please feel free to call 687-1100 ext. 152 or come by the office on 333 State Docks Rd. We are here to serve you and your family.

 

 

Some stats for 2012/2013:

No. of HIPPY Site in Alabama      30

No. of Coordinators                        32

No. of Parent Educators                                151

No. of Children Served in 30 Counties     1778

No. of Home Visits                          56,896

No. of Total Miles Driven              922,984

Percentage of Parents Who Gave HIPPY an ‘A’   96%

Percentage of Parents Who Said HIPPY Was Useful          96%