New Parent Support Program on-line at F. E. Warren

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mike Tryon
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. -- --  After a nine month absence on F. E. Warren, the New Parent Support Program is back up and running.

Heather Hartnell, 90th Medical Operations Squadron, is in charge of the program.

This program is all about providing new-parent support, and there are a lot of people here who are new parents, Ms. Hartnell said. Because there hasn't been a program for so long, trying to get her name out there has been difficult.

"It's very challenging trying to find brand new clients," Ms. Hartnell said.

She has advertised her program through several communication venues. Aside from the fliers and brochures she has distributed throughout the base and downtown, she said she has also talked with the first sergeants group and plans to attend commanders' calls to spread the word about the program.

The New Parent Support Program is tailored for those who just found out they are pregnant up until the child turns three, even if this is a couple's third pregnancy, they can still be eligible for the program, Ms. Hartnell said.

Some of the services provided include education, resources and home visits.

The provided education ranges from general parenting skills to incorporating a new child into the family dynamic and how to deal with that process, she said. Some of the resources the program offers lets parents know what additional support is available to include programs such as spouses helping spouses and mothers of pre-schoolers.

"This base unfortunately doesn't have any play groups," Ms. Hartnell said. "But, I'm actually trying to coordinate something like that, so I can get mothers together so they can ask other mothers questions and see how their children play together."

One of the biggest resources provided are the home visits, she said. People have to fill out a questionnaire, and if they're deemed "high-risk," they are allowed two home visits a month.

A home visit entails going out to the house and talking with the mom to see how she's doing, she said. Most of the time it's just talking to the moms, but that doesn't mean fathers cannot be there or ask the questions either. Parents get the chance to ask questions about growth and development, breastfeeding issues and any other concerns they may have.

If concerns or issues arise outside of Ms. Hartnell's range, she said she gives them a referral to the Family Advocacy Officer, Capt. Janelle Weyer, 90th MDOS. From there, Captain Weyer will send them to the appropriate agency, whether that be in the clinic, or a downtown agency.

This program and others like it, help to ensure Warren's Airmen can focus on the task at hand to develop and provide combat-ready forces for nuclear deterrence and global strike operations, while minimizing the worry of issues at home.

For more information about the New Parent Support Program, contact Ms. Hartnell at 773-2998.