21st Century Town Halls

In Spring 2020, ACT Now started our Town Hall series for 21st CCLC program providers in Illinois. These virtual opportunities allowed ACT Now to share information and policy updates, as well as allowing programs to elevate their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the state begins to reopen and new federal relief is flowing, we have received increasing requests to bring these meetings back. ACT Now is excited to continue to partner to learn with you! During these meetings, attendees will:

  • Hear updates from ISBE
  • Learn about federal COVID-19 relief funding for afterschool and summer learning programs
  • Review upcoming Professional Development trainings topics, such as:
    • Tips on spending down funds
    • How to find staff/reengage current staff
    • Examples of in-person and remote programming
    • Recruitment strategies
    • Engaging Families
  • Be able to ask questions of ACT Now and other participating grantees
  • Network and share questions, experiences, and guidance with colleagues

To register for ACT Now’s revamped 21st Century Town Hall meetings, click here.

In the registration form, please also indicate other topics you would like to discuss.

Please also consider participating as a speaker in one of our meetings. ACT Now is always looking for expert panelists and your colleagues love to hear from you! As a speaker, you can choose to share slides or have ACT Now ask you questions in a Q&A forum.

You will also find archived Town Hall events and resources that ACT Now has shared out with 21st Century programs and OST providers.

Next Scheduled Town Hall:

  • RESCHEDULED: June 28, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

To register for ACT Now’s revamped 21st Century Town Hall meetings, click here. In the registration form, please also indicate other topics you would like to discuss.

Archived Town Halls

  • May 17, 2021 Town Hall: Family Engagement
    • To access the recording, click here. Password: wxTc&Mk9
    • To access ACT Now’s presentation, click here.
    • Speakers: Lisa Bracket (Bureau, Henry, Stary Counties – Regional Office of Education #28) & Community Organization and Family Issues (COFI) panelists Claudia Serrano (Elgin), Maria del Rosario Magaña (Aurora), Lettie Hicks (East St. Louis), Translation: Aida Palma (COFI)
  • May 3, 2021 Town Hall: Summer Programming
    • Recording forthcoming
    • Speakers: Sarah Norton (WeGo Together West Chicago) & Tameka Gavin (Union League Boys & Girls Clubs)
  • April 19, 2021 Town Hall: Hiring/Supporting Staff and College and Career Program Planning for Middle and High School Youth
  • April 5, 2021 Town Hall: Federal COVID Relief Funding and Spending Down Funds
    • To access the recording, click here.
    • Speaker: Leslie Chestnut (Metropolitan Family Services)
    • ACT Now Presentation
  • June 24, 2020 Town Hall
  • June 9, 2020 Town Hall