First 5 UT Permian Basin
The Department of Community & Family Health, also known as First 5 UT Permian Basin, in the College of Health Sciences and Human Performance focuses on improving early childhood, community health, and education outcomes in Midland and Ector counties.
First 5 UT Permian Basin offers three free, evidence-based home visiting programs:- Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY)
- Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP)
- Parents as Teachers (PAT)
Families who enroll in any of these programs receive support from a personal educator, access to high-quality curriculum and lessons, parent and child screenings/assessments, and access to a diverse resource network. The ultimate goal of these programs is to help all children in the community reach their fullest potential.
Welcome to First 5's HIPPY program! We are here to help families with children aged 3 to 5 years old prepare for kindergarten in a fun and exciting way. Our program includes 30 weeks of creative and engaging lessons that are designed to improve your child's reading, math, and science skills.
Congratulations on your pregnancy! We're happy to introduce you to the Nurse-Family Partnership at First 5 Permian Basin. Our program is specifically designed to support first-time pregnant mothers who are less than 28 weeks pregnant. You'll receive a Personal Nurse who will be with you every step of the way -- from pregnancy to when your baby turns two years old. We understand that each family has unique needs, so your nurse will create personalized lessons just for you to help you navigate your health, adapt to changes in your life, and support your baby's development.
Do you have a little one at home who is three years old or younger, or are you expecting a new arrival soon? If so, you might be interested in the Parents as Teachers program at First 5! We're here to help you with your parenting skills and support your child's development.Referral Options
Self-Referral
Learn more about the FREE family programs First 5 Permian Basin has to offer.
Agency Referral Link
Are you a partner agency needing to send client information for screening?
Events & Initiatives
Roll and Read
Roll and Read, powered by First 5’s PAT team, is an annual community event promoting family literacy and healthy habits. This event features a walking trail, multiple reading stations, community agency booths with information and activities, and plenty of free books and resources for families! Are you ready to Roll and Read your way to success? Join us at our next event!
Kinder Camp
Each summer, the First 5 HIPPY team hosts Kinder Camp, a weeklong program designed to prepare incoming Kindergarteners for school success. The camp focuses on essential school readiness skills through engaging activities based on Pre-K guidelines. Caregivers receive valuable guidance on transitioning to school, including tips on communicating with teachers, establishing routines, and more. Our dedicated staff not only leads the lessons but also models effective ways to support your child's educational journey. Best of all, Kinder Camp is completely free for eligible families in Midland and Ector counties!
Community Impact
First 5 UT Permian Basin is committed to supporting community growth and prosperity. We collaborate with partner agencies across the Permian Basin to build systems and strengthen collective impact. Some of our special initiatives include:- Encouraging family literacy and providing literacy resources to build home libraries
- Promoting PBS’s Ready to Learn activities and using evidence-based resources at community events
- Establishing new partnerships and strengthening existing relationships with agencies to build families’ resource network
- Participating in and co-leading local coalitions, including the Early Childhood Action Network (ECAN)