Joint Base Charleston  Military and Family Support Center

You may be expecting your first baby or busy with a toddler. That means you have your hands full, and may have questions. Thankfully, help is at hand. The New Parent Support Program is a free service for military parents.

The program focuses on one-on-one support through home visits. Parenting classes and playgroups may also be available at some locations. Staff members include nurses, social workers and home visitation specialists.

Learn more about the New Parent Support Program.

Topics include:

• Bonding
• Breastfeeding support
• Child safety
• Managing demands
• Nutrition
• Positive discipline
• Sleep management
• Support systems

The program’s home visitors understand the challenges of military life. They can share tools for successful parenting during PCS, deployment and more.

New Parent Support Program staff are child development professionals, including registered nurses, clinical social workers, or para-professionals trained in the delivery and practice of established home visiting models. 

The program is available to military families who are expecting a baby or have kids 3 or younger. Marine Corps eligibility includes families with at least one child under 5.

Contact your Family Advocacy Program office or Military and Family Support Center.

Our New Parent Support Program is designed to support those new to parenting or with a newborn child at home. The program offers in-home and hospital visits, telephone consultations and access to a video/book resource library by a certified nurse through the base Family Advocacy Center. They also work with families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program.

The New Parent Support Program nurses are located on both the air base and on the weapons station. You may contact the nurses with the NPSP at the air base at 204 W. Hill Boulevard Building 1000, and by phone at 843-963-6799, DSN 312-673-6799. The Naval Weapons Station office is located in Building 786 on 1005 Jefferson and can be contacted at 843-794-7294, DSN 312-794-7294. Other classes available are prenatal care, infant/child CPR, baby basics and parenting.

Ongoing classes are:

Obstetrician Orientation: Newly pregnant mothers receive briefings from the Health and Wellness Center, TRICARE, dental, family medicine and New Parent Support Program with important information regarding their pregnancy.

Building Blocks for Baby: A class for couples at least 20 weeks pregnant that addresses the many questions about preparing for and taking care of an infant: planning for baby's arrival, what to purchase, preparing for fatherhood, safety issues, basic physical baby care, etc.

Breastfeeding Basics: Join this class to learn about the unique bond of breastfeeding your newborn along with the basics of breastfeeding and, yes, even the role of the father.

Dads: The Basics: This three-session class is strictly for men – those whose partners are pregnant or who have recently become fathers – and is led by experienced fathers. During this class, all aspects of pregnancy and early parenthood will be discussed, with the primary focus on the father's role in helping his partner through pregnancy and caring for the newborn child.

Infant and Child CPR: This class discusses how prevention of injuries and early CPR leads to a healthier outcome for infants and children. Basic home safety is also covered.

Contact New Parent Support for the most up-to-date classes and programs being offered.
Some of the military resources NPSP works closely with are:

• Chaplain services

• Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society

• Air Force Aid Society

• Child Development Center and Child Home Care Providers Program

Some of the community resources NPSP works closely with are:

• The American Red Cross

• Salvation Army

• Charleston area Women, Infants, and Children Program

• South Carolina Department of Health's Baby Net Program

• Department of Social Services and its Division of Child Protection Services

• United Way Tri-County Community resource 211 Program

• The Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation for Postpartum Depression Support Groups

• Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC Children's Hospital) Angel Wings Support Program