The NPSP was established by federal law in order to help build strong healthy military families. Program benefits are available to military families who are expecting a child, or who have a child or children up to three years of age (five years of age for the Marine Corps). It is a part of the Family Advocacy Program (FAP). The program includes home visits by NPSP staff, and may also include:

• supervised playgroups
• parenting classes
• access to books, booklets, and other written materials on parenting

In addition, program participants have access to trained staff that can answer their parenting questions, or refer them to other appropriate resources.

The NPSP was established by federal law in order to help build strong healthy military families. Program benefits are available to military families who are expecting a child, or who have a child or children up to three years of age (five years of age for the Marine Corps). It is a part of the Family Advocacy Program (FAP). The program includes home visits by NPSP staff, and may also include:

• supervised playgroups
• parenting classes
• access to books, booklets, and other written materials on parenting

In addition, program participants have access to trained staff that can answer their parenting questions, or refer them to other appropriate resources.

Research has shown that the first three years of child development are critical. The Department of Defense (DoD) recognizes that the realities of military life put certain stressors on families during these critical years. Challenges such as frequent moves, distance from extended families, and deployments can seem overwhelming at times. Congress has mandated that each Service provide a core program of home visiting for at risk families. In addition, each Service provides a program to support military families, addressing needs as simple as finding a playgroup or as complex as meeting the demands of single-parenting when the service member is deployed.

Research has shown that the first three years of child development are critical. The Department of Defense (DoD) recognizes that the realities of military life put certain stressors on families during these critical years. Challenges such as frequent moves, distance from extended families, and deployments can seem overwhelming at times. Congress has mandated that each Service provide a core program of home visiting for at risk families. In addition, each Service provides a program to support military families, addressing needs as simple as finding a playgroup or as complex as meeting the demands of single-parenting when the service member is deployed.

During a home visit, a NPSP staff member provides guidance regarding normal growth and development, and addresses common concerns regarding issues such as breastfeeding, sleeping, nutrition, and behavior management. A NPSP home visitor can also provide a wealth of information on resources and activities in the local community.

Since home visits require a considerable amount of time and resources, home visits per family may be limited unless the family has been identified as being at high risk for child abuse.

During a home visit, a NPSP staff member provides guidance regarding normal growth and development, and addresses common concerns regarding issues such as breastfeeding, sleeping, nutrition, and behavior management. A NPSP home visitor can also provide a wealth of information on resources and activities in the local community.

Since home visits require a considerable amount of time and resources, home visits per family may be limited unless the family has been identified as being at high risk for child abuse.

Playgroups offer a chance for families to enjoy learning and playing together, while meeting other parents and their children. The groups are generally parent-led, with overall supervision by NPSP staff. Typical activities include arts and crafts, free play, organized games, field trips, and other special events. The playgroups meet at regular times and places during the week, enabling families to form a healthy habit of having fun together.

Playgroups offer a chance for families to enjoy learning and playing together, while meeting other parents and their children. The groups are generally parent-led, with overall supervision by NPSP staff. Typical activities include arts and crafts, free play, organized games, field trips, and other special events. The playgroups meet at regular times and places during the week, enabling families to form a healthy habit of having fun together.

Parenting classes vary according to local needs and interests. Typical programs include newborn baby care and positive parenting/behavior management for both moms and dads.  Some programs include special interest classes such as anger management, raising toddlers, stress management, and family communication. These classes may be offered as part of another program, such as the installation's chaplain's office, or through the broader services of the Family Advocacy Program (FAP).

Educational materials such as books, booklets, and pamphlets are available at the installation's NPSP office or from program staff. Some programs also have a lending library of parenting and family life books, videos, and DVDs.

Parenting classes vary according to local needs and interests. Typical programs include newborn baby care and positive parenting/behavior management for both moms and dads.  Some programs include special interest classes such as anger management, raising toddlers, stress management, and family communication. These classes may be offered as part of another program, such as the installation's chaplain's office, or through the broader services of the Family Advocacy Program (FAP).

Educational materials such as books, booklets, and pamphlets are available at the installation's NPSP office or from program staff. Some programs also have a lending library of parenting and family life books, videos, and DVDs.

Some classes are offered on a regular schedule.  For example, birthing classes may be offered once a trimester.  Other classes, such as Positive Parenting, may be offered according to demand.  To accommodate working parents, classes are frequently offered on evenings or Saturdays.  The installation's family center is the best place to obtain information about what programs are available and when they are offered.

Some classes are offered on a regular schedule.  For example, birthing classes may be offered once a trimester.  Other classes, such as Positive Parenting, may be offered according to demand.  To accommodate working parents, classes are frequently offered on evenings or Saturdays.  The installation's family center is the best place to obtain information about what programs are available and when they are offered.

No.  The program is offered free of charge to eligible service members and their families. However, if a playgroup decides on a special activity in the community, those fees would normally not be part of the program.

No.  The program is offered free of charge to eligible service members and their families. However, if a playgroup decides on a special activity in the community, those fees would normally not be part of the program.

Each Service has its own program. On Air Force installations, The NPSP can be found in the Air Force Family Advocacy Program.  Army programs can be found within Army Community Service. The program is offered through the Marine Corps Community Services. The NPSP on Navy bases is within Fleet and Family Support Centers. Military medical providers can provide information on the program and some programs are co-located within medical facilities. Since the NPSP is part of the Family Advocacy Program (FAP), it is often co-located with FAP.

Each Service has its own program. On Air Force installations, The NPSP can be found in the Air Force Family Advocacy Program.  Army programs can be found within Army Community Service. The program is offered through the Marine Corps Community Services. The NPSP on Navy bases is within Fleet and Family Support Centers. Military medical providers can provide information on the program and some programs are co-located within medical facilities. Since the NPSP is part of the Family Advocacy Program (FAP), it is often co-located with FAP.

The NPSP is available to families regardless of whether they live on or off of the installation.  However, for families living a distance away from an installation, the Internet also provides access to a variety of services and resources. The family support website for each Service branch has information and links related to family programs. Military OneSource, the twenty-four hour information and referral service for military families, has resources related to parenting including articles and web links.  To contact Military OneSource by phone, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, call Stateside at 1-800-342-9647. The Military OneSource website lists specific dialing information for other countries.

The NPSP is available to families regardless of whether they live on or off of the installation.  However, for families living a distance away from an installation, the Internet also provides access to a variety of services and resources. The family support website for each Service branch has information and links related to family programs. Military OneSource, the twenty-four hour information and referral service for military families, has resources related to parenting including articles and web links.  To contact Military OneSource by phone, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, call Stateside at 1-800-342-9647. The Military OneSource website lists specific dialing information for other countries.

Yes, any information shared with NPSP staff is confidential, so participants can feel free to discuss personal issues that may be bothering them. There is an important exception, however. As licensed professionals, all NPSP staff have a duty to warn if they believe an individual may harm themselves or others.  They are also mandated reporters of child maltreatment. In the rare instance that such professionals suspect a child has been maltreated, the suspicion of maltreatment must be reported to the appropriate authorities. Once a report has been made, the family will be assessed and, if necessary, appropriate services will be provided to protect the child and to help strengthen the family.

Yes, any information shared with NPSP staff is confidential, so participants can feel free to discuss personal issues that may be bothering them. There is an important exception, however. As licensed professionals, all NPSP staff have a duty to warn if they believe an individual may harm themselves or others.  They are also mandated reporters of child maltreatment. In the rare instance that such professionals suspect a child has been maltreated, the suspicion of maltreatment must be reported to the appropriate authorities. Once a report has been made, the family will be assessed and, if necessary, appropriate services will be provided to protect the child and to help strengthen the family.

Families participate in the NPSP on a voluntary basis. However, under certain conditions, it is possible that a commander may give a specific instruction for an active duty service member to participate.

Families participate in the NPSP on a voluntary basis. However, under certain conditions, it is possible that a commander may give a specific instruction for an active duty service member to participate.

Every professional program staff member must be degreed and licensed as a: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Marriage and Family Therapist; or Registered Nurse (RN). In addition, all staff must complete a criminal background check.

Every professional program staff member must be degreed and licensed as a: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Marriage and Family Therapist; or Registered Nurse (RN). In addition, all staff must complete a criminal background check.