When 25-year-old Catherine Stewart became a new mom, life looked very different from what she imagined.

“I was dealing with postpartum depression and really bad anxiety. Trinity is my first child and, at first, I was really scared,” Catherine admitted. “I didn’t know how to play with her. I thought, I’m not sure how to do this. I don’t have a big family to help me.”

Being a young mother with social anxiety can feel isolating. Like many new parents, Catherine found that connecting with others wasn’t easy. Something as seemingly simple as setting up a playdate or attending a community event felt overwhelming.

Without a support system, it’s easy to pull away, but that isolation takes a toll on both the parents and their children. However, the research is clear: social and emotional learning in children leads to positive outcomes, promoting cognitive and speech development, and lower levels of stress, which creates a strong foundation for mental health and school readiness.

To best support her daughter, Catherine reached out for help.

“I wanted to be more involved in the community, but I didn’t know how,” said Catherine. “I needed help opening up and feeling comfortable around people.” 

Recognizing the importance of connection for both her and her daughter, Catherine spoke with her Department of Social Services (DSS) social worker about her feelings of loneliness and anxiety. That conversation led her to Richland County First Steps.

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 PAT under the Family First Prevention Services Act. 

With community support, First Steps delivers PAT to help families in crisis work toward 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, Catherine found the dedicated one-on-one parenting support she wanted and needed. From their first visit, her family support specialist, Nikiyah Spearman, focused on helping Catherine feel supported and confident in her role as a mom.  

Although 17-month-old Trinity was initially wary of Nikiyah, she’s beginning to warm up. “Nikiyah always brings fun little activities we can do together, extra ways to play with her and use different toys,” Catherine said. “She brings us books and taught me how to read with Trinity.” 

Through one-on-one training and access to resources, workshops, and parenting groups, Nikiyah helped Catherine build confidence, strengthen her bond with Trinity, and feel more connected to her community. These visits helped Catherine connect with her daughter and turn everyday moments into opportunities to learn and bond. 

In addition to emotional and educational support, Nikiyah also provided practical help, bringing Catherine diapers, milk, and assisting with accessing programs like SNAP and other community resources. She also shared tips on healthy meals, screen time limits, and ways to make every day play more engaging. 

As their visits continued, Nikiyah encouraged Catherine to join local outings to the pumpkin patch, the library, and other family events. One of the program’s biggest benefits, Catherine said, has been meeting other moms with similar stories. Those shared experiences helped her begin to overcome her social anxiety.  "Talking with other moms made me realize that I’m not alone. The anxiety is mostly in your head,” she said. “If you really need somebody, there’s always someone who’ll be there for you.” 

Now Catherine enjoys spending time with other families and says that the program has helped her feel more empowered and secure in her parenting decisions. “I feel more confident taking Trinity out and doing more with her.” Today, Trinity is thriving, and the family remains safely together. 

Reflecting on her journey, Catherine feels proud of her growth as a mother and encourages other parents to take advantage of programs like Parents as Teachers. “It helps you grow in your community as a mom and as a parent,” she said.

Catherine's story shows what happens when public and private partners align their strengths to serve children and families more efficiently and effectively. If you would like to learn more about the partnership between the Department of Social Services (DSS) and First Steps, you can read more in our 2025-2026 Annual Report. 

Learn more about Parents as Teachers and other parenting programs offered by South Carolina First Steps. 

Topics: Parenting, Home Visiting