Kadena AB  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.

"Parenting Love and Logic"

Course Description: Learn to raise responsible children using a win/win philosophy; Show love in a healthy way and establish effective control; Establish a rewarding relationship built upon love and trust.

“Teens and Tweens”

Course Description: This is a class for parents who are raising teenagers. The class explores how to have a good relationship with their teens through respect. Also to understand the stage of adolescents.

Stress management portion will cover Understanding stress, the physical and psychological effects of stress. You will learn simple stress reduction techniques. The role of your thoughts in stress responses, and how to change patterns that contribute to stress.

Understanding anger, effects it has on different aspects of your life, understanding healthy vs. unhealthy Anger, and helpful anger management strategies.

This class is ideal for first-time dads and those who may want to brush up on their skills. Topics include basic childcare, adjusting to changes at home with a new baby, the "how-to's" and bonding with baby. Participants will have time to practice skills learned in the class hands-on. New, expecting, and veteran dads are encouraged to attend so that participants can learn from a variety of experiences. Dads attending the class may be given the opportunity to assist with teaching future classes and/or mentoring new dads.

“Stronger Together”

Course Description: The class focuses on cultivating strong relationship through communication, resolving issues, building mutual trust, love and respect.

Course Description: In this interactive group, couples will learn: How to communicate more effectively; How to forgive and mean it; How to enhance intimacy and How to cope with relationship stressors.