JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
A morning's worth of invaluable information will be available to first-time expectant parents next week at the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Airman and Family Readiness Center.
The Air Force Aid Society-sponsored Bundles for Babies, set for 8:30-11:30 a.m. June 7 at the A&FRC, will feature presentations on a number of topics, from budgeting for the baby to proper dental care, and will conclude with an information fair. The quarterly event is open to active-duty first-time expectant parents from all service branches.
"It's a morning of preparing parents for the arrival of their baby and what to expect afterwards," Criselda Smith, 902nd Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant, said.
Smith's presentation, "Budgeting for Your Baby," will open the session, starting with her own version of "The Price of Right," when parents will be asked to guess the price of items required for babies.
"Parents don't have a concept of how much it will cost them," she said.
Smith said she will discuss the average cost of raising a child from birth to 18 years, an estimated $374,000, which includes everything from food, housing and education to health care, clothing and transportation. She said she will also talk about how being in the military can offset some of these costs through housing allowances and other benefits, and will provide information about the A&FRC's resources for parents, from parenting classes and marriage retreats to one-on-one budgeting sessions.
Representatives from the 359th Medical Group will discuss dental and medical care for the baby, and Debra Spencer, 359th Medical Operations Squadron New Parent Support Program nurse, will address the NPSP's range of services, which includes home visitations and a variety of classes that help expectant and new parents, and will offer advice to parents.
"She really excites parents about what the new experience will be like," Smith said. "She talks about all the things that are relevant and makes it realistic."
A TRICARE representative is also part of the program, addressing the various TRICARE options and what expenses they cover.
The information fair will feature a variety of agencies and businesses, including the nutrition program WIC, or Women, Infants and Children, and the Randolph Child Development Center. Representatives from the banking industry will help parents with financial issues.
In addition, Air Force attendees will receive a "bundle" of baby supplies.
Smith called Bundles for Babies "a great opportunity for parents."
"It empowers couples; it gives them a lot of tools for their toolbox," she said. "It also opens doors for new friendships."
For more information or to register for the class, call 652-5321.