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.

Do you have a child or infant age 5 years and under, or perhaps you are expecting a baby? Stop by or call the New Parent Support Program at 808-496-8803. NPSP is a professional team of nurses and social workers. NPSP provides parenting support and education to Marine families through home visitation and free parenting and childbirth preparation classes. The Marine NPSP is family-centered and responsive to the unique strengths and needs of military families experiencing challenges. Marine families will find NPSP beneficial to provide the support they need to cope with the stressors military families face in everyday life.

Service members and their families are put in uniquely stressful situations, such as lengthy deployments and frequent moves, often with limited support. Add the normal anxieties of pregnancy and a new baby, and the stress can be overwhelming. The New Parent Support Program is in place to help service members and their spouses adjust to the rigorous demands of parenthood. It is designed to promote healthy family functioning, child development, and positive parent-child interactions. Home visitation is a key component of the program.

NPSP Home Visitors offer individualized support and education on topics such as:

• Bonding with your new baby or toddler
• Helping older siblings adjust to a new baby
• Potty training, tantrums, separation anxiety, etc.
• Developmental stages and how children master new skills
• Alternative ways to discipline your children
• Strategies to resolve step-family/blended family issues
• How to help your child cope with PCS and deployments
• Helping children stay connected when their parent is deployed
• Resources available to families in the military and civilian community

Key Services Offered

The Health Promotions program offers a variety of services, including:

1. Home Visits: Focuses on providing private, in-home support for new parents, creating a comfortable environment for discussing concerns and questions about parenthood.
2. Group Support:
   • Baby Boot Camp: Teaches parents the essentials of infant development, self-care, safety and newborn care and introduces them to community resources. The class is designed especially for new parents.
     • Schedule: Every second Monday of the month, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. in Bldg. 216.
     • How to Attend: Due to limited seating, it's crucial to register early for this free class by calling NPSP.
   • Postpartum Support Group: This group is hosted by a licensed clinical social worker/postpartum support specialist. This group is suitable for 0-12 months postpartum.
     • Schedule: Every Monday, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. in Bldg. 216.
   • Bump and Bloom Pregnancy Support Group: Facilitated by an RN to connect and support expecting mothers. Focus topics include baby prep, community resources and self-care to support a healthy pregnancy.​
     • Schedule: Every Tuesday, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. in Bldg. 216.
   • Operation Dad: Facilitated by Michael Hester, an LPC, LCDC, LVN, NCC, CCS, to promote a casual gathering where dads can bond with their little ones and connect with other fathers.
     • Schedule: Every second and fourth Thursday of the month, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Bldg. 216.
   • Play Mornings: Facilitated by an RN to answer all feeding, infant care and development questions. Casual setting to support mom and child social interactions.
     • Schedule: Every Tuesday, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m., in Bldg. 216.
3. Referrals If you require additional services either through the military health care system, your local installation or the community, NPSP professionals can guide you to the most suitable resources for your needs.

New Parent Support boasts a proficient team consisting of social workers, counselors and registered nurses who are dedicated to providing education and support to Marine families. Through a combination of home visits, support groups, and parenting classes, NPSP employs a strengths-based developmental and family-centered approach to assist parents.