New Parent Support Program helps families in need

Photo By Staff Sgt. Mercedes Bizzotto | Taylore McAnally, spouse of Senior Airman April McAnally, 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs photojournalist, changes his three month old son’s diaper in Abilene, Texas, Aug. 29, 2018. Diapers can be very costly during a newborn’s first few years of life. The New Parent Support Program helps families by showing them different programs that can best fit the families’ budgets. This helps to prevent families from going into debt. (U.S Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mercedes Porter)  

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS, UNITED STATES

08.30.2018

Story by Airman 1st Class Mercedes Bizzotto 

7th Bomb Wing

The New Parent Support Program was put into place from the Department of Defense in 2012 to provide military families with information and support for their children.

The program offers support and guidance by helping parents build strong/healthy bonds, manage the demands of parenting, remain flexible and responsive, build a strong support network and respond to infant and toddler behavior sensitively.

“My goal is to encourage and support network building that both helps and supports our military families,” said Miriam Galco, 7th Medical Group NPSP manager.

Families who are eligible for the program are those who are pregnant, planning to adopt a baby or have children at home between the ages of a newborn to three years old.

For first time parents, it can be hard to find the programs needed to help raise a child. NSPS helps to provide these resources for those families in need or are experiencing debt to help relieve some of those stressors.

“Being a first time father is pretty scary,” said Taylore McAnally, spouse of Senior Airman April McAnally, 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs photojournalist. “Once our son was born, our priorities shifted to make sure that he is taken care of all hours of the day. For me, I want to make sure that he gets to grow up and enjoy life to the fullest potential.”

Types of services provided for families at Dyess AFB are home visits, referrals to other resources, prenatal classes, parenting classes and playgroups. A few resources that Galco highlighted for parents to utilize are Bundles for Babies, Texas Women, Infant, and Children (WIC), Mothers of Preschoolers and St. Mark’s Baby Room.

“I didn’t know there was so much support available, especially for military families who are usually away from their support system,” said McAnally. “Before this, I honestly didn’t know where to begin or how to prepare.”

For families wishing to make an appointment to speak with Miriam Galco to enroll into the program, call (325)-696-5380 or (325)-696-8787.

• Date Taken: 08.30.2018
• Date Posted: 09.13.2018 09:44
• Story ID: 292092
• Location: DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS, US