Teen REACH
Teen REACH is an Out-of-School Time (OST) initiative focused on helping youth thrive by offering safe spaces, positive adult relationships, and meaningful opportunities to build life skills, succeed academically, and contribute to their communities. Teen REACH grantees can find resources, events, and more on this page.
Teen REACH is a comprehensive, Out-of-School Time (OST) program model designed to expand the range of choices and opportunities that enable, empower and encourage youth to achieve positive growth and development, improve expectations and capacities for future success, and avoid and/or reduce risk-taking behavior.
This is done through offering a range of core services and activities designed to have a positive impact on a youth’s social, creative, physical, and cognitive development. Specifically, this means providing youth with safe environments with caring adults, and guiding them toward educational success, marketable skills, and opportunities to serve their communities.
ACT Now has developed a tiered Training, Technical Assistance, and Support (TTAS) approach to ensure that all grantees are receiving support that is reflective of the unique needs and strengths of their programs, and the youth, families, and communities they serve.
ACT Now Technical Assistance Team
Kasey Brown
She/Her
Senior Technical Assistance Specialist, Building Tier
Tyrone Taliaferro
He/Him
Technical Assistance Specialist, Solid Tier
Andrew Hitzhusen
He/They
Technical Assistance Specialist, Strong Tier
Chelsea Corbett
She/Her
Deputy Director of TTASTeen REACH Technical Assistance and Support Network
At ACT Now, we believe in the power of collaboration to enhance the quality and reach of OST programs. Our afterschool provider network is a collective of esteemed organizations that partner with us to deliver comprehensive support and resources to Teen REACH providers.
Through this network, we aim to foster a community of collaboration, share best practices, and provide tailored assistance to ensure that every OST program can thrive and make a lasting impact on the lives of youth.
Teen REACH Resources
The Teen REACH Resources section provides grantees with tools and supports to strengthen program quality, stay on track with compliance, and access ongoing professional development opportunities. Here, providers can find calendars, guides, and links to resources that make it easier to plan ahead and connect with the broader Teen REACH network.
Monthly Technical Assistance Calendar
Includes reporting reminders, training opportunities, events, and initiative deadlines. Providers are also able to register for all trainings directly from the calendar.
FY26 Teen REACH Quarterly Compliance Checkpoints
This outlines key requirements & recommendations for each quarter of the program year, helping grantees stay on track with compliance, reporting, & quality initiatives.
Teen REACH Hub
The Teen REACH Hub is your central resource for all things related to the Teen REACH grant. Here, Teen REACH providers can find grant-related documents, training materials, guidelines, and updates. The Teen REACH Hub is available in ANCAL.
Additional Information & Links
Illinois Quality Program Self-Assessment (IL-QPSA)
The Illinois Quality Program Self-Assessment (IL-QPSA) is a free online strengths-based self-assessment tool that allows individuals and out-of-school time (OST) providers the opportunity to self-assess on their performance based on the Illinois Statewide Afterschool Quality Standards.Â
FY26 IL-QPSA Registration FormÂ
Completion of the IL-QPSA is a requirement for the Teen REACH grant.
