YOKOSUKA, Japan— Welcoming a new child is a monumental life event. For families stationed at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, the installation offers a robust network of resources to ensure they have the support they need. From prenatal education to early childhood development, these programs help families navigate the journey of parenthood with confidence.
The cornerstone of these services is the New Parent Support Home Visitation Program (NPSHV), located in Building 3365. The NPSHV is a free support service designed to meet the needs of expectant active-duty service members, their spouses, and military families with children younger than four. The program empowers families to meet the challenges of parenthood while maintaining a military lifestyle.
Offering a variety of services, the NPSHV provides prenatal and parenting skills education, early child development education, referrals, and home visitation services. These resources improve parenting skills, increase knowledge of child development, and provide a vital support system for families adapting to a new baby.
Complementing the NPSHV, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) offers a Visiting Nurse Program, providing free in-home visits from registered nurses. These nurses deliver educational support for maternal, newborn, and pediatric care, including newborn weight checks, monitoring blood pressure, and providing information on everything from nutrition to birth control.
Lactation support is another critical resource for new mothers. The U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka holds a Basic Breastfeeding Class on the third Wednesday of every month, and parents can schedule consultations for any breastfeeding questions. Further support comes from local community resources like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) overseas program, which issues nutrition assistance and vouchers for pregnant women, new mothers, and young children.
To address the diverse needs of families across the installation, Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) provides a wide array of specialized programs. Parents can also attend Baby Sign Language Classes, which teach how to incorporate simple signs into daily routines to help babies communicate before they can speak.
Additionally, Military and Family Life Counselors (MFLC) offer free, confidential, nonmedical counseling addressing marriage and relationship issues, parenting challenges, stress, and anxiety. Sessions can accommodate individuals, couples, and entire families.
Additional Parenting and Safety Resources
To further support new and expecting parents across the installation, the following local and military-specific resources are available 24/7:
Program Name
Primary Benefit
Best Contact Information
USNH Yokosuka Lactation Services
Professional breastfeeding classes, individual clinic consultations and a breast pump loan program
Call DSN 243-5505 (COM: 046-816-5505)
or email https://www.google.com/url?q=mailto%3Ausn.yokosuka.usnmrtc-yokosuka.mbx.customer%40health.mil
WIC Overseas Yokosuka
Provides nutritional food vouchers, health screenings and targeted nutrition education
Visit the CRC 3rd Floor or call DSN 243-9426
(COM: 046-816-9426)
NMCRS Budget for Baby®
Hosts financial planning workshops and distributes a free "junior seabag" of newborn essentials
Located in Bldg. 3365, 3rd Floor. Email https://www.google.com/url?q=mailto%3Ayokosuka%40nmcrs.org or
call DSN 243-7905
NMCRS Visiting Nurse Program
Delivers free in-home maternal health checks, baby weight checks and nursing education
Call DSN 243-7905, cell 703-213-7614
or email nurse Karen Saoit at https://www.google.com/url?q=mailto%3Akaren.saoit%40nmcrs.org
FFSC New Parent Support Program
Offers licensed home visits, playgroups, and evidence-based parenting workshops
Located in Bldg. 3365, 4th Floor.
Call DSN 243-7878 or
email https://www.google.com/url?q=mailto%3Affscinfo%40fe.navy.mil
TRICARE Maternity Care
Covers 100% of pregnancy medical care, newborn hospital stays, breast pumps and lactation supplies for eligible beneficiaries
Visit the TRICARE Service Center in Bldg. 1400 (USNH) or call DSN 243-9528
FFSC Active Parenting First Five Years
Managing daily parenting challenges, building strong family bonds, and fostering positive behavioral development
Call DSN: 243-7878
(COM: 046-816-7878)
USO
Tot Time
Monthly program held in the Ikego community featuring hands-on crafts, story times, and social bonding activities for toddlers age 2-5 accompanied by their parents
Registration is usually required. Check the https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fjapan.uso.org%2Fprograms%2Fuso-yokosuka-tot-time
New
MilParent Consultation
Connects parents to child
development experts for personalized coaching via
phone or video
Call toll-free 1-800-342-9647
or visit https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.militaryonesource.mil
Get Started Today
CFAY’s comprehensive services underscore the community’s commitment to the well-being and readiness of its service members, their families and the wider Yokosuka community. By providing accessible, expert support, the installation ensures that new parents have a strong foundation for success, both at home and in their mission.
Do not navigate the challenges of early parenthood alone. Expectant parents and families with children younger than age four are encouraged to take advantage of these free, comprehensive resources today. Enrolling in the New Parent Support Home Visitation Program is easy, and specialists are standing by to assist.
Families can connect with the Fleet and Family Support Center in person at the Yokosuka Community Center, located on Third Avenue in Building 3365. The office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed on weekends and holidays. For more information or to schedule an appointment, parents can call locally at 046-896-4111 or via DSN at 315-241-4111 to start building a stronger foundation for their growing family.