Championing quality afterschool programs in Illinois.

The ACT Now Coalition is a diverse network of afterschool providers, families, business leaders, community advocates, youth organizations, and policymakers from across the state.

Upcoming Events

Join professional development opportunities designed for afterschool and community schools providers in Illinois. We host policy updates, trainings on our Quality Standards, STEM and SEL webinars, and much more.

Starting a High-Quality Year! (Rescheduled August) Membership Exchange

Afterschool Alliance: Lights On Afterschool 101

STEM Webinar #1 – Kicking Off the New Year: Planning and Training Staff in STEM

Cultural Responsiveness Series: Culturally Responsive Professional Development

Membership Exchange: Centering Youth Voice in Lights On Afterschool!

Workforce Development Series: Building a Volunteer Network

Q2 VIRTUAL STATEWIDE Community Schools Convening

Funding Opportunities

Figure out what resources are available to support afterschool programs to meet their program goals

Youth Opportunities

To find fun stuff to do with youth and expand the horizons of their youth

Remote Professional Development Opportunities

Find professional development opportunities that people can do from anywhere

Popular Links

Quickly find your way to some of the most-searched
resources, information and support on our site.

Professional Development Resources

Access resources, information and events designed to identify and meet the professional development needs across the entire workforce continuum.

ANCAL

Community Schools Corner

Starting an Afterschool Program

STEM

By bringing together other youth serving organizations throughout the state that strive for quality after school programming, ACT Now strengthens our advocacy efforts, raises program quality, and increases our opportunities for collaboration.”

—Christy Filby—Executive Director, Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs

Policy

Find resources to build awareness about increasing the quality and availability of afterschool programming and address outreach and advocacy for local, state, and federal legislative and policy opportunities.

State

Federal

Advocacy Resources & Reports

Afterschool Advocates

Take Action!

Town Halls

Quality

Explore resources and information about our research-backed Quality Standards initiative working to bring best practices, continual improvement and positive outcomes to afterschool programming around the state.

Provider Handbook

IL-QPSA

Pledge to Quality

Quality Standards in Action

Evaluation Principles and Practices

Teacher working with 2 kids and a laptop with snacks

About ACT Now

An increased commitment to young people beyond the traditional school day is critical to their growth into productive, healthy adults.

Through best practices, resources – and local, state and national partnerships – we unite a diverse, statewide network of thousands of members and ensure access to quality, affordable afterschool and youth development programs.

Recent Tweets from @ACTNowCoalition

Stay in Touch

Sign up for our newsletter to get resources and updates every Tuesday morning.

Afterschool Map
& Database

The first and most extensive statewide database for out-of-school time programs.

101 N Wacker Dr
17th FloorChicago, IL 60606