By Andy Keith, Chief Educational Programs Officer, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind’s (AIDB) driving mission is to serve! Daycare services were slowly closing in Talladega, Alabama; presenting a growing concern for AIDB. Dennis Gilliam, Ed.D., President, AIDB, recognized that many AIDB staff would need daycare services. Dr. Gilliam saw an opportunity to serve, an opportunity to meet a need, and an opportunity to take care of AIDB’s employees. So that is what he did!

During a meeting, Dr. Gilliam brought up the possibility of AIDB providing daycare services, stating “Let’s provide daycare services for our people.” Quickly following the meeting, the possibility turned into a reality. After a plethora of meetings, a plan of action was created. The first course of action would be to establish a partnership with an existing daycare. After numerous meetings and conversations, AIDB decided to partner with New Adventures Learning Center, a state-licensed daycare facility providing care for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years.

Following the partnership, AIDB and New Adventures needed to establish a location. The Anne Sullivan building located on the campus of AIDB’s Helen Keller School of Alabama would serve as the perfect location for the daycare. A needs assessment was completed, a price point established and the initial registration began. Joey Hutto, Chief Facilities and Construction Management Officer, and AIDB’s Physical Plant Department began the work of remodeling the building to meet daycare requirements. The remodeling work would need all hands on deck. In record time the Anne Sullivan Building was ready for inspection.

The City of Talladega, the Talladega Fire Department and the Alabama Department of Human Resources were required to visit the daycare location and conduct inspections to issue approval for the opening of the daycare. Approval was quickly granted by the City of Talladega and the Talladega Fire Department. But trying to align schedules and with two holiday breaks fast approaching, trying to schedule an inspection with the Alabama Department of Human Resources would present a few bumps in the road to licensure. After a few reschedules, AIDB, New Adventures Learning Center and the Alabama Department of Human Resources were able to come together for an inspection. The building was ready, the stage was set and on December 27, 2024, the Alabama Department of Human Resources granted the daycare its license to operate.

Word traveled fast and we began receiving phone calls and text messages of excitement. An employee announcement with registration information was sent to all AIDB employees.

“I’m looking forward to having my children close by and having a shorter commute after work,” said Holly Alldredge. “With having them at the daycare here, I’ll be able to spend more time with them. That extra time is so important for working moms because we spend so much time away from our families. So having them close by and being able to spend extra time with them in the car or in the mornings means a lot to us."

A service was established and a need was met. New Adventures Learning Center is officially ready for business. The domino effect this service will have not only on AIDB, but the Talladega community is paramount.