MCRD San Diego  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.

Aboard the Depot

The New Parent Support Program at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego is a prevention and outreach program that offers in-home visits, parenting education classes and information and referrals for active-duty personnel and family members who are either expecting a child or have at least one child age 5 or under. The NPSP is located in Building 6E and can be reached by telephone at 619-524-0805/8033/0465.

Call us today to learn more about any of the following services:

Home Visits

All active-duty personnel and family members who are expecting a child or have at least one child age 5 and under are eligible to receive NPSP services. Home visits can take place in the home, at the New Parent Support Office or at any other convenient and comfortable location. Home visit topics include:

• Age-appropriate discipline

• Age-appropriate play

• Effective communication

• Stress management

• Nutrition

• Deployment issues

• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

• Newborn care

• Sibling rivalry

• Toilet training

Baby Boot Camp

This is a fun and dynamic class for expectant active-duty personnel and their partners that addresses numerous topics about your new baby, such as basic infant care, the developmental stages of infants, soothing your infant, child safety and postpartum emotions. Whether it is a Marine's first baby or third, current information about infant care and local resources is crucial to build strong families.

Classes are held on the last Wednesday of every other month from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please call for dates, registration and class location.

Developmental Screening

In-home developmental screening is available for children one month to five years of age. Home visitors assess your child's communication, motor skills, problem solving and social and emotional development. Learn how to enhance your child's development through fun and easy activities.

Infant Massage

Infant massage is a wonderful and nurturing way to connect, communicate and bond with your infant. Learn about the power of touch in bonding with your baby and the benefits of massage for your baby's circulation, digestion and emotional well-being. NPSP offers free individual classes, as well as a four-week group class for caregivers with infants 4 weeks to 12 months of age.

Cooperative Parenting

This is an eight-week individual program teaching effective co-parenting skills for single, separated, and/or divorce parents. All classes must be completed in order to receive a certificate of completion.