Hillary Clinton Speaks at HIPPY USA Award Dinner  ... >
April 28, 2014 - Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered the keynote address at HIPPY USA's Avima D. Lombard Award Dinner at Kellogg Conference Hotel at Gallaudet University.  HIPPY USA (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) supports parents in teaching their young children by providing a curriculum and in home volunteers.  The program is active in 21 states and DC and serves about 15,000 children.  Clinton described how in 1985 while attending a governors conference in Florida as first lady of Arkansas she learned about the program in a newspaper article.  She followed up, contacting the program's founder in Israel, and in 1986 started HIPPY in Arkansas.  HIPPY's work parallels Clinton's current efforts with the Too Small to Fail initiative, which is also focusing on children ages zero to five.  Indeed Clinton noted that one media outlet has dubbed Too Small To Fail "HIPPY 2.0."  In her speech Clinton highlighted the "word gap," citing a study which showed that lower income children hear 30 million fewer words by age four than higher income children.  She emphasized the importance of parental engagement and involvement with their children.  "Talking is teaching,"Clinton said.
Hillary Clinton and HIPPY USA executive director Lia Lent present the Avima Lombard Award to Judy Gibson (center).
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