GOVERNOR LINGLE RELEASES $250,000 FOR THE FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES OF WEST HAWAI`I

For Immediate Release:  December 13, 2005

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle released a $250,000 grant-in-aid for the Family Support Services of West Hawai`i (FSSWH) to expand the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) Program in West Hawai`i.

Currently, FSSWH operates the HIPPY Program in West Hawai`i serving 80 three- and four-year old children and their families.  The additional funds will allow FSSWH to expand the HIPPY Program to serve an additional 120 preschool children and their families in the following targeted areas of the Big Island:  Ka`u, South Kona, North Kohala, and South Kohala.

FSSWH is a private, non-profit organization whose stated mission is “to support families and communities in providing love and care for our children.”  They accomplish this through direct work in helping families with young children. 

HIPPY is a home-based parent involvement program designed to provide parents with the necessary educational tools and skills to prepare their three-, four-, and five-year olds for success in schools.  It also aims to strengthen partnerships between parents and professionals while enhancing the developmental progress of these children.  The HIPPY Program, based on a national model, is in its 10th year of operation in Hawai`i with programs in Kona, Moloka`i and Kane`ohe.  Services are provided at no cost to participants, and priority is given to low-income families whose children are not enrolled in a preschool program.

“The expansion of this preschool readiness program supports my Administration’s initiatives to increase early childhood education opportunities,” said Governor Lingle.  “I am especially pleased that it will actively involve parents in their children’s education.”

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For more information, contact:
Lenny Klompus  
Senior Advisor – Communications  
Phone:  586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: 586-0043