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Building Strong and Resilient Military Families by Promoting Positive Parent-Child Relationships
The Army’s New Parent Support Program helps Soldiers and Family members who are expecting a child or have a child or children up to 3 years of age build strong, resilient military Families. Through a variety of supportive services including home visits, support groups, and parenting classes, the NPSP teaches ways to cope with stress, isolation, military transitions such as deployments and post-deployment reunions, and the everyday demands of parenthood. Please contact your Installation Army Community Service Center, Family Advocacy Program for more information and the opportunity to speak with an NPSP Staff Member.
NPSP Helpful Links
Parenting Resources
Parenting Organizations
NPSP: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is eligible?
A: All Soldiers and Family members expecting a child or with children from birth to 3 years are eligible to participate free of charge in NPSP services. Also eligible are activated Reservists, Retirees, and their Families.
Q: Who are the NPSP staff?
A: The NPSP staff are licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) or registered nurses (RNs) who have extensive experience working with Families and young children and are sensitive to the unique challenges faced by military Families. Other staff members may include Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) who may also serve as home visitors and administrative support staff.
Q: What can the NPSP do for me?
A: The NPSP offers a variety of programs and services to support you and your Family in becoming and staying strong and resilient, including:
Home Visits: NPSP home visitors provide information and guidance regarding child development and answer questions related to your baby, young children, Family relationships and parenting techniques. Home visitors provide education on a variety of topics, such as infant sleeping, breastfeeding, nutrition, potty training, age-appropriate discipline, developmental screenings, sibling rivalry, stress management, deployment/reunion challenges, time management, parental self-care and other topics. Visits may be provided in the comfort of your home or in an NPSP office setting. Home visits may be scheduled at your convenience.
Playgroups: Playgroups allow moms, dads, and their children to join other young children and their parents in a child-centered setting for a few hours each week for children to interact and learn through play. The activity also provides an opportunity for parents to network, learn and share experiences with each other and NPSP staff regarding the parenting of young children in a military environment. During the group setting, the NPSP staff may focus on nurturing activities, interpersonal skill building exercises, role modeling, and age-appropriate exercises that involve parents and their children. Playgroups may bring military Families with young children together, combating the isolation that many parents may feel. They are open to all military Families with young children at no cost.
Parenting Classes: NPSP offers scheduled parenting classes and support groups, which may differ by location, on a variety of topics, including child development, proper nutrition, well-baby care, Shaken Baby Syndrome, “The Period of Purple Crying,” safe infant sleeping awareness, Boot Camp for Dads, infant massage, post-partum depression, child and home safety, discipline, stress management, problem solving, decision making, parenting during military transitions, and blended Families.
Q: Are the services confidential?
A: Yes, information shared with NPSP home visitors is confidential. However, exceptions do exist to protect you, your children, and others’ safety. As licensed professionals, all NPSP home visitors have a duty to warn if they believe an individual may harm themselves or others. NPSP home visitors are also mandated reporters of child abuse. As such, they must report any suspicion of child abuse and/or neglect to the appropriate resources. During your first meeting with your NPSP home visitor, you are encouraged to discuss confidentiality, and these exceptions, with your home visitor.
Q: How do we enroll?
A: Please contact your installation Army Community Service (ACS), Family Advocacy Program, New Parent Support Program office to enroll in services today. You can also call Military OneSource for more information and referrals:
