When South Carolina mom Ashley Thompson first enrolled in home visiting with Bamberg County First Steps Parents as Teachers, she worked long hours that kept her from valuable time with family. She dreamed of a different path, though – one that prioritized her son’s education and her own aspirations.
With encouragement from her parent educator, Erica Smith (now parenting supervisor), and guidance from Parents as Teachers, Ashley took a leap of faith, pursuing a new direction: entrepreneurship. Step by step, she built multiple businesses, including Hair Salon Unique Styles & Fashion and a party rental service. Today, she’s a published children’s author!
The Parents as Teachers model focuses on supporting caregivers, recognizing the central role they play in the health and well-being of their children and their family. In addition to guidance on child development and positive parenting practices, parents are encouraged to take their own steps of growth, as well. In fact, by just the third home visit, parent educators provide space and tools for caregivers to set goals for both their children and themselves. And they are achieving their goals – studies show that compared to those who aren’t enrolled, Parents as Teachers caregivers gain employment, pursue higher education, and improve family economic self-sufficiency more often (Parents as Teachers, 2025), creating positive foundations for family strength.
Fifteen years after Ashley first signed up for home visiting with Bamberg County First Steps, she came back – this time, to inspire children and families herself through her new book, “Beautiful Like Me.” Her journey is a stunning example of how home visiting empowers parents to achieve their dreams—both for their children and themselves.
Read more about Ashley here: https://bambergfirststeps.org/newsfeed/