New Parent Support Program

The New Parent Support Program is a team made up of nurses, social workers and home visitation specialists who offer support and guidance by helping parents:

• Build strong, healthy bonds with their infants and toddlers that will lay the foundation for their social and emotional development
• Manage the demands of parenting, especially when impacted by deployments and other military operations
• Remain flexible and responsive when navigating daily life
• Build a strong support network
• Respond to infant and toddler behavior sensitively and be attuned to their developmental needs
• Find services in the local community in time of need

Learn more about the New Parent Support Program and contact your installation New Parent Support Program office to find out what’s available at your installation.

New Parent Support Program staff are child development professionals, including registered nurses, clinical social workers, and para-professionals trained in the delivery and practice of established home visiting models. The program is supervised and monitored at the installation level by the Family Advocacy program manager.

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

Contact your installation New Parent Support Program office or Family Advocacy Program office.

Iwakuni New Parent Support Program supports all expecting families and families with children from birth to age 5. Whether this is your first child or your third, you are welcome to join us. Please contact us for more information at DSN 253-5043 or 0827-79-5043.

• Home Visitation -- Home visitors work with families in a one-on-one setting to enhance their parenting skills, build on the parents’ strengths and provide support. Home visitors help families cope with the stress, isolation, deployment and everyday demands of parenthood. Visits may be conducted in your home, at our office or at a location convenient to you.
• Baby Boot Camp -- Assists in preparing expectant mothers and fathers to be confident and competent parents.Learn the basics of infant development, baby safety, newborn care and community resources. This class is designed to be informative, interactive and fun.
• Infant Massage -- Learn to calm and bond with your baby through nurturing touch. This is a great class for both parents to attend. A secure environment and a nurturing touch promotes healthy growth and development. Infant massage may help improve your baby’s sleep and aid with colic and tummy issues.
• Learn and Play -- This interactive play group is designed to teach parents developmentally appropriate play and can help children improve their social, cognitive and motor skills. It is designed for children from birth to age 5.
• Musical Mondays -- This interactive play group for children ages 0-5 consists of circle time singing, play time, and different age-appropriate activities.
• Parent Connections -- Group parenting workshop that provides information to help parents feel better about themselves and the roles they fill. Topics discussed include but not limited to child development, stress management, positive discipline, and communication.
• Tadpoles & Minnows Pool Side Fun -- Enjoy a free, fun, family-friendly experience at the Indoor Pool. Information and resources on positive parenting, strengthening family connections and early childhood development are available onsite.
• Period of Purple Crying -- The Period of Purple Crying is the phase used to describe the time in a baby's life when they cry more than any other time. This phase is normal part of every infant's development. This workshop helps parents and caregivers understand the frustrating features of crying in normal, healthy infants and learn ways to help soothe your baby.
• Lending Locker -- We have hospital grade breast pumps, pack and plays, infant scales, birthing balls, toys, educational videos, and books to help promote the growth of your families.

Looking for programming that is not on the above list? The NPSP collaborates with other programs across the installation and can provide additional information, briefs, and referrals.