Newborn Groups

What happens in a PEPS Group?

For 12 weeks, new parents with infants from one to four months old, meet, share and learn in two-hour, volunteer-facilitated sessions. Each meeting (held voluntarily in Group member's homes on a rotating basis) starts with sharing the week’s highs and lows, breaks for snacks and socializing, and then reconvenes for the week’s topic on a subject directly related to the challenges of parenting an infant.

We’re still expecting.  When should we sign up for our PEPS Group?

You can register anytime before your baby is due. We suggest you register early, since there is limited space in each Group and waiting lists often form. PEPS does its best to serve every family that registers and places almost all that do, but cannot guarantee placement due to multiple variables such as location and volunteer availability.

We didn’t register before our baby was born.  Can we still sign up?

You can still register for up to 3 months after your baby is born but placement in a Group is not guaranteed. There is limited space in each Group and families already on PEPS’ waiting lists have priority. PEPS does its best to serve every family that registers and places almost all that do, but cannot guarantee placement due to multiple variables such as location and volunteer availability.

What is the difference between PEPS and other parent education programs like First Weeks?

PEPS central focus is connecting parents with each other to share their experiences and strengths while creating lasting bonds of mutual support. These connections take place through our facilitated knowledge and skill building process. Our programs are different than education-based models such as First Weeks which focus on expert-delivered advice. Many PEPS participants find complementary value in both types of experience.

What does it cost to be in a PEPS Group?

Effective September 1, 2008 fees for the 12-week program are $150* for one participating parent in a household and $200* for two participating parents in a household. Partial or full scholarships are available for qualifying families, just follow instructions on the registration form.

What does my PEPS Group fee pay for?

PEPS is a non-profit organization and depends on fees and contributions to keep our programs going strong.  Your fee represents part of the cost of putting on a Newborn Group, including processing registrations, matching parents into groups, training and evaluating group leaders, monitoring leader performance and group outcomes.  It ensures we can provide the highest quality experience to all our parent participants.  

Are PEPS Groups limited to certain types of families?

ALL families are welcome in Newborn Groups.  PEPS Groups are formed through a combination of neighborhood, affinities (such as having twins), and baby’s birth dates.  The more, the merrier!

Does PEPS offer Moms-only or Dads-only groups?

All parents are welcome to register for either day or evening PEPS Groups. Special PEPS Groups may be formed depending on demand that cater to the unique needs of parents, but our Newborn Groups are open to all.

What is the difference between day and evening PEPS Groups?

Both day and evening groups follow the same format and structure.  Day groups tend to work best for parents with flexible daytime schedules and evening groups tend to work best for those with regular daytime committments, but both are open to ALL parents. Because it is so important that participants commit to attending the full twelve weeks of morning or afternoon meetings, new parents who are returning to work in less than three-months often prefer the evening option.

Does PEPS serve Snohomish County?

As of early 2008, PEPS Groups are now offered in south Snohomish County through a partnership with Lutheran Community Services. These groups are open to parents in Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mill Creek and Bothell.  If you're a Snohomish County parent, you can register right now or learn more by visiting our Snohomish County info page! Our Snohomish County phone number is 425.744.1199.

What other programs does PEPS offer?

Orientation, Little PEPperS, and Bringing Baby Home.

More Questions?

Call PEPS at (206) 547-8570 or email to peps@pepsgroup.org 

* Fees billed at rate in effect on date of program placement. Full and partial scholarships are available by request and are based on demonstrated need.