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Molly Meldrum’s first name is what?
Here to help: HIPPY tutors Eliza Goyne, Kimberely Lovett, Jodie Smith and Bobbie Naidu. photograph contributed We did it: HIPPY 2021 graduates K’rinda Smith, Cato Wood, Finn Platt, Chloe Legg, Jayliegh Hodgkin, Alexia Hogzard-Young and Lily Pritchett.
photograph contributed
LOCAL education program, the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) Latrobe, is now open for expressions of interest. HIPPY, a free program, is aimed at assisting parents in learning the skills and confidence to assist them in helping their children become school ready. The 60-week program is targeted at vulnerable local families, and prioritises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the Latrobe Valley. HIPPY focuses on play-based educational activities and uses activity books to deliver the curriculum. The Latrobe-based program is delivered by Anglicare Victoria in partnership with the Brotherhood of St Laurence, and has been operating since 2014. It is open to families that have children who are aged four and are beginning kindergarten. The curriculum can either be delivered in the home, or another place that the participants are comfortable in, such as a public park. HIPPY is mutually beneficial for parents and children, and even employs parents that have undertaken the program, or are undertaking the program as tutors, providing them with employment and work experience. Many parents who become tutors have either been out of work for a long time, or have not had the opportunity to enter the workforce. HIPPY strives to provide its tutors with part-time, family friendly employment. As part of the program, tutors are given the opportunity to get on the job experience, study, and up-skill. Parent’s employed as tutors are responsible for delivering the program, and work closely with other families each week or each fortnight. Local woman Jodie Smith is mother and HIPPY tutor to her daughter K’rinda Smith, who was part of the HIPPY graduating class of 2021. Ms Smith is happy with what her daughter has gained from the program. “I started HIPPY in 2020 with my daughter K’rinda, I’m so proud to see her thrive and achieve so much over the past year,” she said. “It has been so great to work with so many young, deadly people and their families.” Michelle Taranto, HIPPY program manager at Anglicare Victoria, said that this year’s graduation is especially important, given the events of the last two years. “Every child, every parent and every tutor who is part of Latrobe HIPPY has worked incredibly hard to get to graduation, and that should be celebrated,” she said. “While COVID-19 has been a real challenge, the work our families, children and tutors have put in is testament to all they have accomplished and will continue to do so. “We know that each of the eight children in the 2021 graduation class has a head start at school, with families actively engaged with their education, and ready to shine.” Ms Taranto said that the program has a real impact on children who graduate. “We see them enjoying learning, feeling more confident about their abilities and about engaging in learning opportunities everywhere,” she said. HIPPY Latrobe has now opened expressions of interest for the 2022 program. To learn more, or register interest, call HIPPY coordinator Eliza Goyne on 5135 9555 or email hippy.latrobe@ anglicarevic.org.au
Better start for children, families and jobseekers
THE state government is providing more early childhood jobs in a new program to support this vital sector and provide new career opportunities for Victorians facing barriers to employment. Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford and Minister for Early Childhood Ingrid Stitt recently announced 150 jobs will be created as part of the Jobs Victoria Early Childhood Educator Jobs Initiative. The $2 million state government program, delivered in partnership with Chisholm TAFE, will enable more Victorian children to thrive, improve work-life balance for families and create more secure jobs in the early childcare sector. “We’re making it easier for people to build a career in this vital sector, providing training while workers earn a wage and gain on-the-job experience,” Ms Pulford said. “Targeting sectors that need workers makes a lot of sense and will be a winner for people that have had a tough time securing work - and families.” The focus will be on supporting people who have experienced challenges securing employment during the pandemic, including women aged over 45, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse Victorians, and young people. Participants will receive on-the-job training, working at early childhood centres and receiving an income while studying a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. The program also provides additional mentoring and supervision on the job.The initiative is supported by the $250 million Jobs Victoria Fund which is creating 10,000 steady and secure jobs for those most impacted by the pandemic. The state government is also releasing its updated Kindergarten Workforce Strategy as part of the $5 billion plan to provide three-year-old children with access to an additional year of funded kindergarten programs. The reform is expected to create around 6000 new early childhood jobs including approximately 4000 bachelor qualified teachers and 2000 VET-qualified educators. Find out how Jobs Victoria can help employers or people looking for work at jobs.vic.gov.au or call the Jobs Victoria hotline on 1300 208 575.
