Chandler Wendel lives in Columbia, South Carolina, with her husband of five years and their two children, 2-year-old Jordan and 9-month-old Walker. After earning her master’s degree from the University of South Carolina and beginning her career, Chandler believed she could handle anything. But parenthood, she admits, was the hardest challenge she’d ever faced.
Struggling to balance work, motherhood, and household responsibilities eventually brought Chandler into contact with the Department of Social Services (DSS). To help keep her family safely together, Chandler’s caseworker connected her with Richland County First Steps.
SC First Steps partners with DSS to support families involved in family preservation cases. The partnership started in 2022 through a three-year, privately funded pilot supported by the Duke Endowment and the Doris Duke Foundation. The program's success positioned DSS to secure federal approval in 2025 to launch a state-wide community pathway for Parents as Teachers under the Family First Prevention Services Act.
With community support, First Steps delivers PAT to help families in crisis work towards reunification or preventing separation. By coordinating services across multiple agencies, the program creates a network of support that empowers parents and helps children thrive.
Through First Steps, Chandler found the dedicated one-on-one parenting support she wanted and needed. From their first visit, her parent support specialist, Ms. Shannon, focused on helping Chandler feel supported and confident in her role as a mom. Although Chandler entered the program through a DSS referral, she chose to stay even after completing the required portion.
“We decided to stay in the program because we enjoy what it offers our family,” Chandler said. She credits Ms. Shannon for making the experience meaningful. “She’s been a huge resource in helping me navigate how to parent children who are constantly changing. She helps me work through stressful situations like when I’m getting a lot of ‘no’s!’ and gives me advice on how to guide them.”
Ms. Shannon’s positive influence in the house has become a model for her children, as well as for Chandler. Through her participation in PAT, Chandler has learned how deeply her own behavior shapes her children’s development. “Kids are like sponges at this age,” she said. “They watch how you behave. It’s so important to model what you want them to do and that’s something I’ve really learned through this program.”
While the PAT curriculum is based on evidence framework, each child receives developmental activities tailored to their needs. For 2-tear-old Jordan, Ms. Shannon provides hands-on activities to encourage early literacy and curiosity.
“Jordan is very advanced cognitively,” Chandler said. “She knows everything in her age group and a little beyond. Before, I wasn’t sure how to bridge the gap between recognizing letters and becoming a reader. Ms. Shannon has been wonderful about finding activities that help us close that gap.”
For baby Walker, activities focus on textures, sounds, and fine motor skills. “We’ve been working on little things like saying ‘hi’ and ‘bye,’ and standing and walking,” Chandler said.
Over time, Chandler says the program has transformed how she approaches parenting and has helped strengthen the relationship she has with her children. “Sometimes, people get so caught up with the goal or the end point that they miss everything along the way. First Steps has helped me slow down and be intentional. Before, I was so focused on juggling everything that I would have missed a lot of their childhood. Now I get to be present.”
Reflecting on her journey, Chandler says she’s proud of how far her family has come and encourages other parents to seek help when they need it. “Parents as Teacher is such a great way to support both parents and children,” Chandler said. “We can’t always change where we come from, but we can change our mindset. I choose to be present, and I get to absorb all those little, happy moments with my kids.”
Chandler's story shows what happens when public and private partners align their strengths to serve children and families more efficiently and effectively. Collaborations like this help address families as a whole and create pathways to long term success.
Learn more about Parents as Teachers and other Parenting Programs offered by SC First Steps.
Topics:
Parenting, Home Visiting
