DHR presents hub-based expanded-learning outcomes; multiple sites show reading and math gains

Fay Nelson, representing the Alabama Department of Human Resources, presented the 2024–25 annual report for the Expanded Learning Possibilities (ELP) initiative, a community-of-practice model supported with TANF-related funds and in partnership with the state Department of Child Abuse and Neglect.

Nelson described three regional hubs that coordinate community partners and local education agencies to deliver out-of-school-time programming in high-poverty areas. She highlighted assessment results from several participating sites: BB Comer Elementary (served 355 children; reading points gain +43; math points gain +30), Childersburg (served 255; reading +52; math +34), and TOPS/Tuscaloosa (served 270; reading +26; math +22). Nelson said hubs are required to submit reports to DHR showing program impact as a condition of funding.

Nelson emphasized that the partnership aims not only to improve literacy and numeracy but also to address social-emotional learning and workforce-readiness programming for middle and high school students. She said the initiative originally aimed to serve 700–800 children and now reaches an estimated 5,000–6,000 children across the three hubs and related programs.

Commissioners asked about site selection and whether programs overlap with state-run summer camps; Nelson said community-based hubs collaborate with schools but operate as separate, locally driven efforts funded by DHR’s TANF allocations. Several commissioners urged aligning baseline measures and behavior indicators with the commission’s broader evaluation work so that outcomes are comparable statewide.

Next steps: DHR will continue to collect and publish hub-level reports; the commission discussed coordinating measurement with ACES and the Office of Extended Learning to develop shared evaluation metrics and pre-analysis plans.