Military and Family Support Center

New Parent Support Program

Military and Family Support Center Deployment Support Employment Financial Assistance Family Advocacy Program Loan Closet New Parent Support Program Relocation Assistance Service Specific Information

Contact information for key programs and services at this installation.

New Parent Support Program Overview

You may be expecting your first baby or busy with a toddler. That probably means you have your hands full, and may have questions. Thankfully, help is at hand.

The New Parent Support Program is a free service that helps military parents, including expectant parents, transition successfully into parenthood and provide a nurturing environment for their children. Services vary, but may include home visits, parenting classes, playgroups or prenatal classes.

General Program Description

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.

Staff Qualifications

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.

Eligibility

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.

Enrollment

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

Other

There is Pathfinder Parent Support at Royal Air Force Alconbury.

Women, Infants and Children – Women, Infants and Children is a nutrition education and supplemental food program for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to 5 years old. Food vouchers may be obtained to use at the commissaries. Call 011-44-1480-84-3158 or DSN 314-268-3158.

Bundles for Baby – This workshop sponsored by Air Force Aid Society covers finances and investing in your child’s future, baby nutrition, WIC and child care costs. The program is designed to decrease stress associated with parenting by increasing knowledge and abilities that promote positive parenting skills. Partners are encouraged to attend. Call the Military and Family Readiness Center at 011-44-1480-84-3557 or DSN 314-268-3557 for class dates and registration.

Military and Family Life Counseling – Real Help. Take advantage of free and anonymous consultations and trainings available at the M&FRC. Call the A&FRC at 011-44-1480-84-3557 or DSN 314-268-3557.

RAF Alconbury Family Advocacy – Parents must call 011-44-1480-84-4593 or DSN 314-268-4593 for an appointment. Free educational materials, including but not limited to, What to Expect and The Period of Purple.

RAF Alconbury Medical Clinic – OB/GYN care is not offered at the medical clinic. RAF Alconbury Medical Clinic has an agreement with both RAF Lakenheath and Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon. Hinchingbrooke Hospital has both maternal and neonatal high risk specialty providers to care for both complicated and uncomplicated pregnancies. Ask your OB/GYN for more information regarding delivery. Prenatal classes are offered at both Lakenheath and Hinchingbrooke Hospital.

For more information on Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Parentcraft Classes (Lamaze) and a tour of labor and delivery call 011-44-1480-41-6080; referral may be needed from your primary care manager.

Exceptional Family Member Program – An EFMP family support coordinator at the Military and Family Readiness Center is available to ensure that each family receives comprehensive, coordinated family support throughout the military and/or civilian community. Call the Military and Family Readiness Center at 011-44-1480-84-3557 or DSN 268-3557.

Exceptional Family Member Program – To speak with an EFMP enrollment coordinator, call the Alconbury Clinic at 011-44-1480-84-4552 or DSN 312-268-4552.

Alconbury Chapel – Chapel programs include weekly bible study, and Alconbury Club for middle school and high school students. Call the base chapel at 011-44-1480-84-3343 or DSN 314-268-3343 for more information.

Permanent Change of Station child care – Available (space permitting) to parents who qualify. Call the A&FRC at 011-44-1480-84-3557 or DSN 268-3557 for more information. Children must have up-to-date shot records and parents must comply with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention orientation.

Safety – Call Safety at DSN 314-268-3837 regarding current car seat safety requirements and regulations.

American Red Cross – RAF Mildenhall offers classes on first aid, CPR and prenatal and postnatal education. Call 011-44-1638-541110 or DSN 314-238-3742 for more information on class schedules and registrations. Ask for class being offered at RAF Alconbury.