New Parent Support

The New Parent Support Program (NPSP) is a professional team of social workers, counselors, and registered nurses who provide education and support to Marine families who are expecting or raising children aged 0 -5 years old. The NPSP also hosts baby boot camp and group parenting classes, playgroups, and home visits for Marines and their families.

New Parent support is staffed by licensed social workers, marriage and family therapists, and registered nurses. The team provides assistance, education, and support to our Marine Corps families by offering in-home visits, parenting education classes, information, and referrals for active-duty personnel and family members. Through a variety of programs, New Parent Support can help families adjust to having a new baby and coping with stress, isolation, pre and post deployment, reunification and everyday life.

Program Benefits

Be prepared for parenthood
Become more confident
Understand your child’s development
Develop common ground with your spouse in the area of parenting
Improve your relationship with your children
Make parenting fun
Be a better parent to your children
Feel more at home in the military community

Who's Eligible
All military families expecting or with a child under six years of age are eligible to participate free of charge in all services offered.

What if we are not new parents?
Even if you have been raising your family for a few years, new ages and stages bring different challenges. Often, adding a brother or sister to the family presents a real change for everyone. The New Parent Support Program offers you the opportunity to express your concerns and ask questions about babies, young children and family relationships.

Home Visits
Can take place in the home, the New Parent Support office or any other convenient and comfortable location. The evidence based Nurturing Parenting curriculum is utilized during home visits. Home visit topics may include:

Age appropriate discipline
Age appropriate play
Effective communication
Stress management
Nutrition
Deployment issues
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Newborn care
Sibling rivalry
Toilet training and much more

New and expectant mothers, active duty or dependent spouse

Prevent and heal from postpartum Depression and Anxiety
Learn and practice new ways to nurture yourself
Gain support from others to cope with the transition to motherhood the good, the bad, and the ugly
Manage your feelings and thoughts to feel better

A 9-week, court-approved parenting class series for parents with children under the age of 6. Topics include:

Safety
Communication
Discipline
Self-esteem
Family Structure

Parenting class offers parents the tools to raise healthy, happy, and cooperative children. Join us as we learn the skills to help build a trusting and loving relationship, and guide behavior with clear communication, effective limit-setting, and the use of consequences.

Class #1 Caring & Connecting with Our Children
Class #2 Development & Temperament
Class #3 Protecting Our Children
Class #4 Emotions: More Than Just Angry & Hungry
Class #5 Self-Esteem & Cooperation
Class #6 Effective Communication: Speaking a Child’s Language
Class #7 Structure: End the Chaos
Class #8 Discipline That Works
Class #9 More About Discipline

Classes are held on Tuesdays from 10am-11:30am at Marine & Family Programs West (Bldg. 202860) off San Jacinto Road. No pre-registration is required. Parents only please, as childcare is not provided at this time

All classes must be completed within one year to receive a certificate of completion. Please check the events calendar for locations, dates and times.

This course offers expectant parents the basic information and tools needed to provide loving care for their newborn. Join us for hands-on practice as we learn and discuss:

Basic infant care, birth plants, self-care, bathing, feeding, diapering, pre- and post-partum emotions, labor and delivery, infant growth and development, infant safety, attachment, bonding, soothing a crying baby, and more!

Locations Available: Mainside, 13 Area, and San Onofre