Designed to inspire parents throughout the United States to develop parent support programs, this book describes one such program which successfully operates in a community of 150,000 people. The Postpartum Education for Parents (PEP) program is designed to offer free assistance to families following the arrival of a baby. Specifically, the purpose of the program is to ease the adjustment of the developing family immediately after the arrival of a baby by offering emotional support and sharing ideas for new parents. Chapter 1 tells how PEP began. Chapter 2 describes the organizational structure, financing, and evaluation of the program. Chapter 3 describes PEP services, including the "warm" line, parent discussion groups, special circumstance support, childbirth class presentations, postpartum telephone calls, the PEP speakers' bureau, and other services. Chapter 4 discusses volunteer requirements, recruitment, screening, training, and supervision; describes training materials; and lists the responsibilities of the volunteer coordinator. Chapter 5 focuses on publicity and community relations. Related materials are appended: they include a summary of a grant application, PEP bylaws, articles of incorporation, and various guidelines for volunteers. (RH)