Faye Nelson, Deputy Commissioner for Family Resources at Alabama DHR, recently told a room full of childcare providers that they run some of the “most critical businesses” in the state.
“You all are here to fill a very, very major gap…[allowing] our parents to engage in the workforce again,” Nelson said. “When our parents can engage in the workforce, you know that you are making a significant economic impact to the state of Alabama.”
Nelson was addressing about 100 attendees at a celebration of the first year of the Early Learning Acceleration Institute (ELAI) at United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA). ELAI is a coalition working to increase the accessibility and quality of childcare throughout Central Alabama. Primary partners in the coalition include UWCA, Childcare Resources and Women’s Foundation of Alabama (WFA). Among the many childcare providers in attendance were representatives of the 67 businesses that have already received ELAI support, whether through grant funding to expand capacity, through a WFA-led business development program or in other ways.
Drew Langloh, President and CEO of UWCA, said ELAI was put together because community members and employers cited widespread difficulties in finding available childcare. This first year of success would not be possible without providers, who serve as the “core” of this work, he said.
Amy McCullar, Director of Tots N Toddlers in Parrish, took part in the Advancing Alabama Childcare Accelerator cohort during the first half of 2024 and went on to use ELAI funding to help build a kitchen, lay flooring and purchase furnishings for a new classroom. She said that, with help from ELAI, Tots N Toddlers, which just opened in September, will soon be licensed to care for 65 children.
LaTonya Bender, Director of Trinity Love Center in Bessemer, used ELAI Expansion Grant funding to build a new classroom last year. Bender said that in addition to helping her center grow, the grant gave her hope during a difficult time. “ELAI just made me feel like I could keep going,” said Bender, who has also made use of United Way’s Success By 6 early-learning initiative for years.
Olivia Hayes, Bold Goals Partnership Coordinator at UWCA, works every day to connect childcare providers to support. At the event, she thanked each of them for their dedication to early learning. “We’re excited to have so many different providers committed to increasing access to quality childcare across the region,” she said.
Katrina Watson, Senior Vice President of Community Impact at UWCA, said that this first year of ELAI is only the beginning. Another round of applications for ELAI Expansion Grants will be open March 3-April 4. Applications will be available here.