June 7 - Joint Base San Antonio

PAGE 14
By Robert Goetz
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs
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 activeduty
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
WINGSPREAD
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
JUNE 7, 2013
JBSA-Randolph A&FRC offers parents ‘Bundles for Babies’
To advertise in the
Wingspread, call 534-8848.
“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
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.
Can it be recycled
Numerous materials including used oil, plastic or glass
bottles, used electronics, cardboard, paper, aluminum cans
and various other scrap metals can be dropped off at the
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Recycle Center. Items are
accepted from both the home and workplace.
For more information, visit the Randolph Recycle Center,
located in building 1152, or call the Randolph Recycle Team at
652-5606 or 652-1160.