|
|
|
|
- Self-Care for Educators Webinar
- Funding for Employment/Workforce Education
|
|
|
|
Last Call for Applications!
|
|
|
December 15th marks the final day for applications for our Youth Afterschool Ambassadors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NEW RPSA December Blog Post
Step behind the curtain into the world of our recent December training, hosted by Andrew Hitzhusen and Emma Vibber. In this post, discover the thought process behind the Gender and Sexuality in OST 101 training’s development, key takeaways, and the elements that made it a valuable experience for participants.
|
|
State Updates
New Illinois Early Childhood Education and Care Transition Advisory Committee
On December 5, 2023, Governor JB Pritzker announced eighteen members of the Early Childhood Education and Care Transition Advisory Committee, chaired by Bela Moté. This group aims to create a unified state agency to administer early childhood education and care programs as the programs are currently split between the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). This advisory committee will compile information the current state of the early childhood and child care systems and inform the transition to a unified one.
|
|
To register for all upcoming ACT Now trainings and events please sign up for ACT Now Center for Afterschool Learning (ANCAL). ANCAL (hosted through Collabornation) is an online learning and training platform that is FREE for all Illinois afterschool and OST professionals.
|
|
|
ACT Now Events
OST After ESSER: School Partnerships
January 10, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Forging Pathways to Success: Culturally Responsive Collaborations
January 17, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
STEAM and How to Plan Cross-Curricula Activities
February 6, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Ripple Effect Mapping
February 8, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
|
|
|
Administration
Opportunities for Dual Credit Classes Increases for Illinois Students
Chalkbeat Chicago's article highlights the momentum of the dual credit class initiative in Illinois and explains how students of color are actually less likely to take advantage of the opportunity.
Youth Development
Lesson Ideas for December!
ShareMyLesson has compiled lesson plans for programs to use during December as the organization knows the month brings winter breaks and a lot of transitions for students and programs. The lessons range from welcoming newcomer students to honoring the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Youth Voice in Community Schools Guide
Student leadership in decision-making remains a priority for programs across the state. With the announcement of new funding for Full-Service Community Schools grants awarded to Illinois, this resource may help programs incorporate youth voice, engagement, and leadership in Community Schools and afterschool programs.
Safety, Health, and Nutrition
Content Warning: Mental Health, Self Harm
Data Indicates Suicide Rates for Youth Decreased
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released a report on adolescent health in 2022. The report shares information on suicide rates for children and teens, emphasizing that it has decreased in 2022.
Bilingual Resources for Children Experiencing Grief
Sesame Street in Communities developed diverse and bilingual resources for programs and families to use around the holidays. These resources aim to support younger children experiencing grief, give information on different ways grief is expressed, and ways families can cope with and communicate about grief.
Schools Share How to Navigate Students' Mental Health
EducationWeek has released an article on how schools are addressing increased student mental health needs. The article also shares information on the challenges of teletherapy.
Community and Family Partnerships
Welcome to Illinois Network Resources for Community Providers
The Welcome to Illinois Network is a group facilitated by the Latino Policy Forum to help support individuals and families who are new to the state. The group meets bi-weekly and brings in representatives from local, city, and state levels to provide updates and to provide an opportunity to coordinate resources. If you are interested in joining these meetings please email Nina Sedeña, with Latino Policy Forum, to be added to the listservs.
|
|
Administration
STEM Co-Op Citywide State of STEM Landscape Survey
The Chicago STEM Co-Op, in collaboration with Northwestern University, is asking program providers in Chicago to help them collect data on the State of STEM in Out-of-School Time. This initiative consists of four surveys for Community Organizations, Schools, STEM Employers, and Workforce Development Organizations. The results of these surveys will shape an understanding of and policy surrounding citywide STEM programming. Please email hdembosky@projectexploration.org with any questions.
Advance Illinois Employment Opportunity
Advance Illinois is a not-for-profit policy and advocacy organization that works toward a healthy public education system that prepares students to achieve success in college, career, and civic life. Advance Illinois seeks an experienced Director of Policy to work on issues related to K-12 education policies, early childhood education and care policies, and higher education.
Illinois Workforce Survey
Illinois Partners for Human Services is collecting information on the state of Illinois' health and human services workforce. The organization asks that other community-based organizations share this survey invitation with full-time frontline employees and your networks who spend at least 50% of their time interacting with clients. The survey closes on December 22, 2023. If you have any questions, please email survey@illinoispartners.org.
|
|
|
Youth Development
Apply to Be an Afterschool Youth Ambassador!
Calling all youth! ACT Now is launching our first-ever Youth Afterschool Ambassadors program! Afterschool Youth Ambassadors will learn how to effectively communicate about their afterschool experiences with elected officials and how to use their afterschool stories to advocate for change. Youth participating in the council will receive a stipend of $500 for their time. Participants must be high school students in an afterschool program. Priority will be given to youth who are in a 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) program. Selected youth council members will participate virtually for an hour and a half at four meetings as well as attend ACT Now’s in-person Advocacy Day in April. The deadline is quickly approaching on December 15, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. CST. For questions, please reach out to Tiffany Ellison at Ellisont@actnowillinois.org.
If you are a program provider, please share this flyer with the youth in your organization!
ACT Now Policy and Communications Spring Internship
ACT Now is seeking a driven intern with a dedicated interest in positive youth development for our part-time internship during the Spring 2024 semester. The intern who fills this position will have the opportunity to assist in ACT Now’s federal and state policy work and communications work. We are hosting an in-person internship with virtual opportunities. For more details on eligibility, please review our employment board. Applications are due by Tuesday, December 31, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. CDT.
|
|
|
Job Training and Economic Development Funding Opportunity
On November 30, 2023, Governor Pritzker announced $13 million in funding for the Job Training and Economic Development (JTED) program. This initiative will continue to focus on fields affected by the labor shortage since the onset of the pandemic (including manufacturing, agriculture, information technology, transportation distribution and logistics, architecture and construction, healthcare, and hospitality and tourism). Eligible entities such as community-based organizations, can apply for grants between $250,000 to $750,000. Applications will be accepted until January 10, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. To view the Notice Of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and apply for the grant, please visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) website. DCEO will be holding a webinar TOMORROW, December 13, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Content Warning: Mental Health, Self Harm
Illinois Department of Health Grant for Adolescent Suicide Prevention
The Illinois Department of Health (IDPH) will be awarding one organization a grant of $312,000 to support the prevention of adolescent suicide in the state. This is a federally funded grant that aims to develop and train staff in education, child welfare, and juvenile justice to help young people who may be at risk of harm. Applications are due by February 2, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. CST., with the announcement of the grant award expected in March 2024.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
