Resources

There is no shortage of advice for new parents. From well-meaning neighbors to talk show hosts, a wealth of information can be obtained, although not all of it will be helpful, and some might even be harmful. Forming a reliable network of resources is important, even for experienced parents.  There are numerous reliable resources available to support service members and their families. Information and assistance is available through each branch of the military, health care providers, and on the Internet. The following are some suggested resources.

New Parent Support Program (NPSP)

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). The program includes home visits by NPSP staff, and may also include supervised playgroups, parenting classes, and 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.

Military and Family Life Counselors (MFLCs)

MFLCs are Masters or PhD level, licensed, and credentialed clinical providers that offer intervention and support to military members and their families.  Like Military OneSource, they provide up to twelve sessions of non-medical, short-term counseling per person, per issue for every day issues, such as anger management, stress, parenting, communication, family relationships, deployment, and other military-related topics.  The program provides anonymous, confidential counseling and life skills support at any time.  The goal of the program is to support operational readiness and family readiness.  Situations requiring mental health treatment are referred to behavioral health agencies that treat these conditions.

MFLCs are available through installation locations, such as the Army Community Services (ACS), Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS), Navy Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSC), and the Airman and Family Readiness Centers (A&FRC).  MFLCs will also provide support at National Guard and Reserve Component drill weekends, mobilizations, and family events.  For information about Child and Youth Behavioral (CYB) MFLCs, contact the installation Family Center, Child Development Center, or school liaison officer.

Military OneSource

Military OneSource   This site provides information and resources to help balance work and family life. Consultants are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by phone, online, or via email offering personalized support to any service or family member. Military OneSource can connect individuals with a trained, state-licensed mental health professional in the community, telephonically, or online for confidential/private counseling.  Military OneSource offers twelve free in-person counseling sessions per person, per issue.  For those unable to attend face-to-face counseling, Military OneSource arranges telephone and online consultations.

On the Military OneSource website, service members and their families can find numerous parenting resources, including articles on planning for parenthood, caring for new babies, and infant and child developmental stages. Consultants are also available by phone to help identify resources for parents in their local communities and on their installations.  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.

• Links to Branch Support Services
• Links to Additional Resources