ACT Now

Got 5 minutes?⏰

That's all it takes to tell ISBE why afterschool and out-of-school time programs matter. ISBE is accepting written testimony on FY28 education funding, and every submission helps elevate the needs of young people, families, and communities across Illinois.

Simply submit your written testimony online by November 5th. You do not need to sign up to speak at a public hearing to participate.

Need help? ACT Now has prepared guidance and a budget request summary to make submitting testimony quick and easy.

Take action today to support OST funding: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14z2QUo2fYyagmClsz-VuWsJNbnu9_LG24qVSuL8r_RA/edit?usp=sharing

Join ACT Now for an interactive, in-person training designed to bring the revised Illinois Statewide Afterschool Quality Standards™ to life on October 16th. Participants will explore the four Core Areas and 15 Standards, reflect on their program's current strengths and opportunities for growth, and practice using the Quality Standards Toolkit and Illinois Quality Program Self-Assessment (IL-QPSA) process.

Through hands-on activities, discussion, and real-world scenarios, participants will practice identifying evidence of quality, reaching consensus on program practices, and using the Assess → Reflect → Plan → Implement continuous quality improvement cycle.

Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of how the Quality Standards can support their program and one actionable next step to strengthen program quality.

Learn more and register on ANCAL.

It's Newsletter Tuesday (September 22nd, 2026)! This week's newsletter includes ISBE's FY28 Budget Hearings, the IL-QPSA registration, Careers in Your Community Challenge, and more!

Read this week's newsletter at https://actnowillinois.org/act-now-newsletter/

Voting is now open for ACT Now’s Out-of-School Time (OST) Advocate Award!

This award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to champion the importance and impact of out-of-school time programs through their leadership, innovation, and unwavering support.

Learn more about this year’s nominees and cast your vote for the OST Advocate Award by 9:00 a.m. on October 6th, 2026!

Learn more and vote at https://actnowillinois.org/meet-the-2026-ost-award-nominees/

This Coordinator Appreciation Week, we’re celebrating all of the incredible coordinators across our state who keep programs running, support their students, solve challenges, and make a difference every single day!

Thank you for your dedication, leadership, and the countless ways you help our communities thrive.

Help us celebrate! Share a shoutout in the comments and tell us: What’s one thing your coordinator does that makes a positive impact on your team or community?

The Revised Illinois Afterschool Quality Standards and the NEW IL-QPSA are here! 🎉

Quality starts with a shared vision. These updated tools are designed to strengthen consistency, accountability, and outcomes for out-of-school time programs across Illinois.

The Revised Illinois Afterschool Quality Standards define what high-quality programming looks like and provide practical strategies, tools, and guidance to help programs enhance youth experiences, strengthen partnerships, and advance equity. Updated with today's OST realities in mind, the standards are more actionable and responsive than ever before.

The new Illinois Quality Program Self-Assessment (IL-QPSA) offers a streamlined, online continuous quality improvement process that helps programs reflect on and strengthen their practices using the Illinois Afterschool Quality Standards. Best of all, it's now fully housed in ANCAL for an improved user experience.

Together, we're building stronger systems, better outcomes, and a culture of continuous improvement for young people across Illinois.

Register for the new IL-QPSA at https://www.jotform.com/form/261876330752057

Access the Revised Illinois Afterschool Quality Standards at https://actnowillinois.org/quality/il-afterschool-quality-standards/

It's Newsletter Tuesday (September 15th, 2026)! This week's newsletter includes a welcome to ACT Now's new Leadership Team Chair, Coordinator Appreciation Week, and more!

Read this week's newsletter at https://actnowillinois.org/act-now-newsletter/

A stronger network creates a stronger future.

This past year, ACT Now welcomed 165 new members and reached more than 149,000 people through our communications and advocacy efforts.

Together, we're building a bigger, stronger voice for youth development in Illinois.