About Us
Our Mission
The Alabama Expanded Learning Alliance (AELA) works to ensure Alabama youth, families, and communities have access to high quality programming during Out-of-School time that promotes positive development and life-long learning.
Our Goals
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Create a sustainable structure of statewide, regional and local partnerships, particularly school-community partnerships, focused on supporting policy development at all levels.
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Support the development and growth of statewide policies that will secure the resources that are needed to sustain new and existing school-based/school-linked afterschool programs
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Support statewide systems and partnerships to ensure programs are of high quality.
Our Staff
Leah Garner
Director of Policy and
Children’s Affairs
Dr. Christine Spear
Director of STEM Education
Jessica Millican
AELA Projects Coordinator
Cherry Pen
Director of Professional Development, Regional Community Hub Coordinator
By Region
Andrea Bridges
Region 1
Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison, Jackson, Lawrence, Morgan, Marshall, DeKalb, Winston, Cullman, Blount, Walker
Monica Jeffreys
Region 2
Colbert, Franklin, Marion, Lamar, Fayette, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Bibb, Sumter, Greene, Hale, Perry, Choctaw, Marengo, Wilcox
Sallie Chastain
Region 3
Jefferson, Shelby, St Clair, Etowah, Cherokee, Calhoun, Talladega, Cleburne, Clay, Randolph, Coosa, Tallapoosa, Chambers
Tiarra Stevenson
Region 4
Chilton, Dallas, Autauga, Elmore, Lee, Lowndes, Montgomery, Bullock, Russell, Butler, Crenshaw, Pike, Barbour
Brittney Reeves
Region 5
Clarke, Washington, Monroe, Conecuh, Escambia, Covington, Coffee, Dale, Henry, Houston, Geneva, Escambia, Baldwin, Mobile
Dr. Tracye Strichik
AELA Director