Army Regulation regarding required prevention programs

Headquarters Department of the Army Washington, DC
20 October 2003
Army Regulation 608–18 Effective 20 November 2003
Family Advocacy Program (click here for full 119 page regulation)

Pages 28 and 29 portion

3–2. Required prevention programs
All installation FAPMs are responsible for coordinating the required prevention programs discussed below; however, all FAP services do not need to be ACS/FAP-initiated programs. FAPMs should review available services to avoid duplication whenever possible. The services may be provided by installation staff, contracts, other military agencies, or a civilian agency when their services are available and accessible. An MOA or some other official written documentation describing responsibilities must be on file in ACS to ensure service is provided to soldiers and their families. Prevention programs (such as family life education, parent education, new-parent support, and parent aide programs) should be conducted based on the results of community-wide needs assessments."..........

......."e. Parent education and support. Parent education and support programs develop skills in physical care, protection, supervision and nurturing appropriate to a child’s age and stage of development. The programs build or enhance strengths that the individual brings to the parenting role; enhance parent-child attachment; and provide role models and assistance in the form of home visitors and/or parent aides. They also foster skills development and information-sharing opportunities that enhance the parents’ ability to interact more effectively with their children and to create and maintain a safe home environment in which self-esteem and learning are encouraged.

(1) Parent education program. This program involves education that is designed to enhance parenting and child management skills. Parent education and support groups may be combined to provide a forum for parents to exchange ideas, information, and resources and to practice new behaviors. The program also may reinforce or teach basic skills in physical care, protection, supervision, and psychological nurturing appropriate to a child’s age and stage of development.

(2) New-parent support program. The DOD model for NPSPs is divided into two categories: primary prevention (NPSP–Standard) and secondary prevention (NPSP–Plus).

(a) Primary prevention (NPSP–Standard) targets all families with children 3 years of age and younger. Priority will be given to first-time or single parents and dual military families. Program entry may occur by self-referral or a referral by a health professional or the command. The program activities include screenings; information and referral; clinic and hospital visits; classes and childcare; support groups; respite support or other concrete services as needed; and play mornings. The duration of this phase of the program is 3 to 6 months.

(b) Secondary prevention (NPSP–Plus) targets parents at moderate to high risk. Program entry may occur by selfreferral or a referral by FAP, a health professional, or the Command. Activities for this category includes: standardized risk assessment; periodic assessment during service delivery; intensive and comprehensive home visiting; provision of health and child development services; intensive role modeling and mentoring to change skills, respite support, and other concrete services as needed; and parent classes, play mornings, and groups. The duration of involvement in this phase of the program ranges from prenatal to three years of age.

(c) Specific guidance on NPSP is available in the Army’s “Prevention Services for New Parents Implementation Guidelines. " In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation guidance, personal services contracts for the NPSP–Plus must be approved by MEDCOM (MCHO–CL–H). (See app F for Army NPSP standards.)"........

". . . . . . f. Safety education programs. There are two target groups for safety education. The first target group is composed of parents, teachers, caregivers, and all concerned adults in the community. This audience needs information about how to protect children and how to listen to and talk with children about child abuse prevention. Children need to have programs and activities geared to their ability to understand and act on safety and exploitation issues, including child abuse. Education programs should help children develop skills to protect themselves against abuse and may include other community efforts such as fingerprinting and neighborhood safe-house programs. These programs will be made available to children enrolled in CYS activities (age 6 years and older), DODDS, and DODESS.