When 25-year-old mom Catherine Stewart struggled with loneliness and anxiety, even simple things like playdates felt overwhelming. After sharing her feelings with her DSS social worker, she was introduced to Parents as Teachers. Backed by decades of research, Parents as Teachers helps parents strengthen their skills and create a safe, stable home for their children.

At Cadence Academy Preschool in Surfside Beach, Horry County, every day is busy, unpredictable, and full of learning moments. Together, teachers Michelle Perkinson and Maria Spradlin bring both structure and heart to the classroom, creating a predictable routine that helps children feel secure while adapting to each child’s unique needs. This balance has led to some of the most meaningful transformations they’ve witnessed.

When her 5-year-old son refused to eat his pudding cup, Alazaey Washington’s first instinct was to insist: “If I put this on the table, you’re going to eat it.” While that approach worked when he was very little, as he got older, Alazaey’s son started pushing boundaries, getting in trouble at school, and talking back at home. That's why she reached out to Triple P through Newberry County First Steps.