NPSP services are available to all families who are expecting a child, or who have at least one child under the age of three, (age five for Marine Corps) and who are eligible for treatment in a military medical treatment facility. In addition, playgroups are usually open to families with children up to school age.  The installation's family center can provide detailed information on eligibility requirements.

NPSP services are available to all families who are expecting a child, or who have at least one child under the age of three, (age five for Marine Corps) and who are eligible for treatment in a military medical treatment facility. In addition, playgroups are usually open to families with children up to school age.  The installation's family center can provide detailed information on eligibility requirements.

The program is available to all families that are eligible to receive treatment in a military medical treatment facility (MTF). This applies whether the treatment is available at no cost or if a fee must be paid.

For those who have separated from active duty, eligibility to continue to receive government-sponsored healthcare depends on the nature of the separation. For specific health insurance questions, call the Health Benefits Advisor at the nearest MTF. The transition assistance office at every installation can also help answer these questions, as can the TRICARE regional coordinator.

The program is available to all families that are eligible to receive treatment in a military medical treatment facility (MTF). This applies whether the treatment is available at no cost or if a fee must be paid.

For those who have separated from active duty, eligibility to continue to receive government-sponsored healthcare depends on the nature of the separation. For specific health insurance questions, call the Health Benefits Advisor at the nearest MTF. The transition assistance office at every installation can also help answer these questions, as can the TRICARE regional coordinator.

The core program feature is home visits. The DoD policy requires that home visits are made available to all families who have been identified as being at risk for child abuse. Other services, such as playgroups and classes, are added at individual installations according to the program as developed by each Service.

The core program feature is home visits. The DoD policy requires that home visits are made available to all families who have been identified as being at risk for child abuse. Other services, such as playgroups and classes, are added at individual installations according to the program as developed by each Service.

Although a basic level of service is generally available to all eligible families, first priority for more intensive services is given to families in greatest need. For example, home visits might be limited to those families who have been identified as being at risk for child abuse.

Although a basic level of service is generally available to all eligible families, first priority for more intensive services is given to families in greatest need. For example, home visits might be limited to those families who have been identified as being at risk for child abuse.

Most families are self-referred to the NPSP and need only basic services. However, a family may be referred to the NPSP by other sources in the military community, such as the medical treatment facility, a chaplain, the service member's command, the child development center, or friends and neighbors. If a family wishes to participate in the NPSP, it is important to determine what level of services the family needs. This can be determined using scientific screening tools that help identify certain risk factors, such as high stress, multiple challenges, or poor parenting skills.

Most families are self-referred to the NPSP and need only basic services. However, a family may be referred to the NPSP by other sources in the military community, such as the medical treatment facility, a chaplain, the service member's command, the child development center, or friends and neighbors. If a family wishes to participate in the NPSP, it is important to determine what level of services the family needs. This can be determined using scientific screening tools that help identify certain risk factors, such as high stress, multiple challenges, or poor parenting skills.

When offered at an installation, basic services are available to all eligible families, including healthy families with no known risk factors. These services include playgroups, resource materials, parenting classes, and telephone access to staff for questions.

When offered at an installation, basic services are available to all eligible families, including healthy families with no known risk factors. These services include playgroups, resource materials, parenting classes, and telephone access to staff for questions.

Intensive services generally refer to frequent (more than three) home visits, formal referral to other agencies, and follow-up by the Family Advocacy Committee. During a home visit, a NPSP staff member visits the family's home and talks to the parents about concerns they have about parenting and things that are causing stress in their lives. The NPSP staff member works with the family to help them figure out how to deal with those concerns and stresses in a way that is healthy for them and for their children. Whenever possible, both parents are encouraged to participate in the program. Intensive services can vary somewhat at different installations and are tailored to meet the needs of the individual family.

Intensive services generally refer to frequent (more than three) home visits, formal referral to other agencies, and follow-up by the Family Advocacy Committee. During a home visit, a NPSP staff member visits the family's home and talks to the parents about concerns they have about parenting and things that are causing stress in their lives. The NPSP staff member works with the family to help them figure out how to deal with those concerns and stresses in a way that is healthy for them and for their children. Whenever possible, both parents are encouraged to participate in the program. Intensive services can vary somewhat at different installations and are tailored to meet the needs of the individual family.

During a home visit, a NPSP staff member provides guidance regarding normal growth and development of children and addresses common concerns regarding issues, such as breastfeeding, sleeping, nutrition, and behavior management. A NPSP home visitor can also provide 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 of children and addresses common concerns regarding issues, such as breastfeeding, sleeping, nutrition, and behavior management. A NPSP home visitor can also provide 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 families opportunities 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, encouraging families to form a healthy habit of having fun together.

Although the focus is on children's activities, the groups also provide a valuable outlet for social interaction for the parents, who frequently share tips regarding coping with military life. If inappropriate parenting or child behavior is demonstrated, the NPSP staff, or other parents, will intervene. A typical playgroup consists mostly of healthy families, who act as natural role models and coaches for challenged or at-risk families.

Playgroups offer families opportunities 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, encouraging families to form a healthy habit of having fun together.

Although the focus is on children's activities, the groups also provide a valuable outlet for social interaction for the parents, who frequently share tips regarding coping with military life. If inappropriate parenting or child behavior is demonstrated, the NPSP staff, or other parents, will intervene. A typical playgroup consists mostly of healthy families, who act as natural role models and coaches for challenged or at-risk families.

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.

Although a commander could mandate participation by the service member, the program is designed to be voluntary. However, if a leader or commander suspects domestic abuse or child abuse, that suspicion must be reported to the installation Family Advocacy Program manager and/or the appropriate state or local agencies.

Although a commander could mandate participation by the service member, the program is designed to be voluntary. However, if a leader or commander suspects domestic abuse or child abuse, that suspicion must be reported to the installation Family Advocacy Program manager and/or the appropriate state or local agencies.

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 has a duty to warn if there is a concern that an individual may harm him or herself or others. NPSP staff members 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.

This should not prevent a leader or commander from referring a family to the NPSP. The staff has extensive training on screening individuals and families. In the majority of referrals from leaders and commanders, program staff is either able to provide the direct services the family requires or to refer them to other services within the military or local civilian community, without needing to refer to state child welfare agencies.

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 has a duty to warn if there is a concern that an individual may harm him or herself or others. NPSP staff members 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.

This should not prevent a leader or commander from referring a family to the NPSP. The staff has extensive training on screening individuals and families. In the majority of referrals from leaders and commanders, program staff is either able to provide the direct services the family requires or to refer them to other services within the military or local civilian community, without needing to refer to state child welfare agencies.