Governor Kay Ivey on Friday introduced an Alabama family benefiting from the state’s CHOOSE Act education savings account program, highlighting how the initiative is helping parents pursue the type of education they believe best fits their children’s needs.

The family, Daniel and Hannah Doty of Rainsville, are raising three children — Harmony, Isaac, and Judah — and have chosen to enroll them at Cornerstone Christian Academy in Rainsville. Harmony is in fifth grade, Isaac is in second grade and Judah is in Pre-K.

The CHOOSE Act currently supports the two oldest children, Harmony and Isaac.

“The Dotys are a strong Christian family, full of life and have a heart for serving others – a reminder of the kind of families that make Alabama strong,” said Governor Ivey. “Thanks to the CHOOSE Act, Daniel and Hannah can provide a good education that meets their children’s needs and also nurtures their faith.”

Daniel and Hannah Doty value a faith-based, quality education. Daniel works as a student pastor and Hannah works part-time at the school and church their family attends. Long-term, they were concerned they would not be able to afford private school education for all three children.

With support from the CHOOSE Act, the Dotys say they can continue providing their children with the private, Christian education they value at Cornerstone Christian Academy.

In addition to tuition, the family uses CHOOSE Act funds to support reading tutoring to assist Harmony. Hannah Doty became emotional discussing the success Harmony now has with reading thanks to the added support.

To other Alabama parents, Daniel and Hannah advised regarding the CHOOSE Act, “We get a lot of questions about the CHOOSE Act because it benefitted our family so much, so we highly recommend and encourage anyone to apply. Programs like this give your family the ability to choose an education that best fits your children. For families like ours, that means faith and education go hand-and-hand.”

Hannah describes their family as the “perfect chaos” with a home full of life, laughter and a shared desire to make a difference in their community and school.

Harmony, Isaac and Judah each bring their own personality and energy to the mix. Harmony is a social butterfly – she loves spending time with her friends and enjoys dance. Isaac loves learning, especially when it comes to reading, writing and science – he is either in the classroom or on the basketball court.

Judah brings plenty of energy and personality. Like many boys his age, he might say his favorite subject is lunchtime or P.E., but he also looks forward to movie time and especially enjoys library day.

Hannah Doty added, “Because of this program, we feel seen and supported by our state’s leadership, like Governor Ivey and Speaker Ledbetter. Having the ability to choose the education that’s right for our children is so important, and this opportunity has truly been a blessing for our family – it’s been life changing.”

The CHOOSE Act provides education savings accounts that can help families cover instructional materials and supplies, including curriculum, textbooks, workbooks, educational software, computers, school supplies and fees charged by tutors or schools.

The Doty family is one of tens of thousands being supported by the CHOOSE Act. In recent months, the governor has featured families from across the state who have benefited from the program, including the McDade Family, the Siemens Family, the Carbonell Family, the Walker Family, the Moseley Family, Charlie Perkins and Susan Stacy, the Tran Family and the Davis Family.

As the 2026-27 school year approaches, CHOOSE Act applications are open for both renewing families and new applicants. Applications must be submitted by the March 31, 2026 deadline.

Award notifications will be sent to eligible students on April 15, 2026. Verification of participating school enrollment must be submitted by June 30, 2026 for funding beginning July 1, 2026.

The CHOOSE Act makes refundable income tax credits called education savings accounts available to support eligible K-12 students in Alabama.

For the 2026-2027 academic year, the program is open to new families with an adjusted gross income not exceeding 300 percent of the federal poverty level for the preceding tax year. Beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, the program will be open to all families regardless of income.

Students with special needs, current participants and their siblings, and dependents of active-duty service members assigned to priority schools will receive priority consideration.

Families interested in applying or learning more can visit chooseact.alabama.gov for additional information.

 Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for 256 Today.