New Parent Support Program

The New Parent Support Program at Camp Pendleton is an intensive prevention and outreach program that offers in-home visits, parenting education classes, information and referrals for active duty personnel and family members who are either expecting a child, or have children under the age of 6. The New Parent Support Program is a professional team of clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists and registered nurses who are experienced in newborn care, infant/child development, parent education, as well as, the unique challenges faced by military families.

Through a variety of programs, New Parent Support can help families adjust to having a new baby, cope with stress, isolation, pre and post deployment, reunification, and the everyday demands of parenting in the military.

Parent 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

Home Visits

For military families with children under the age of 6. Home visits can take place in the home, the New Parent Support office or any other convenient and comfortable location.  Home visit topics 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.

Baby Boot Camp

For expectant active duty personnel and their spouses. Baby Boot Camp covers everything a parent needs to know to take care of their newborn, as well as, information on resources for the whole family, including:

• The role of a parent
• Developmental stages of infants
• Basic infant care
• Child safety
• Pre and postpartum emotions

Classes are held once a month from 9am-4pm. Please call for dates, registration, and class location.

Parenting Classes

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

• Safety
• Communication
• Discipline
• Self-esteem
• Family Structure

All classes must be completed within one year to receive a certificate of completion. Please call New Parent Support for class dates, location and times.

Who is eligible for services?

All active duty personnel and family members who are expecting a child or have at least one child under the age of 6 are eligible.

What can the New Parent Support Program do for me?

This program offers expectant parents and parents of young children the opportunity to learn new skills as parents and to improve old ones. There are often many questions about the needs of infants and young children. The program is a reliable resource for questions either in the classroom or in the privacy of your home.

What if we are not new parents?

New ages and stages in child development bring different challenges. The New Parent Support Program offers you the opportunity to express your concerns and ask questions about babies, young children and family relationships.