ACT Now On-Demand Workshops

Bring ACT Now to your program!

Affordable, Customizable Professional Development

Bring ACT Now’s workshops to your organization! Our workshops are designed for programs and organizations ready to invest in growth, skill-building, and professional development. Delivered under a fee-for-service model, our workshops offer flexible, high-value training.

Whether you’re looking to deepen your expertise, upskill your team, or explore new tools and strategies, each workshop is tailored to provide practical insights and actionable outcomes. Simply submit the form below to request a workshop for your organization.

Why Choose Our Workshops?

  • Expert Facilitators: Learn directly from subject matter experts.
  • Practical & Engaging: Focused content with hands-on activities, real-world applications, and interactive discussions.
  • Flexible Training: Workshops can be customized for your organization to be tailored to the background of the audience, the size of the group, and the length of the training window.
  • Diverse Topics: Explore a wide range of themes across sustainability, workforce development, and more.

Browse our available workshops and request a workshop today!

See available Workshops

Request a Workshop

FAQs

ACT Now hosts multiple free professional development trainings each year. If you would like ACT Now to provide a specific training just for you and your organization, then this on-demand workshop/fee-for-service model may be for you! ACT Now is able to provide high-quality professional development tailored to your organizational needs.

Trainings are  $700 per hour of training (sliding scale available for demonstrated need).

 We request that you reach out at least 4 weeks before any training need. Our process works as follows:

  1. Submit a request to ACT Now using our online form.
  2. ACT Now will follow up for more information within 3 to 5 business days and to schedule a consultation.
  3. Up to two individualized consultations before the training are included in the pricing.  
  4. Invoices are sent after the first consultation. 
  5. After the training occurs, ACT Now will follow up for feedback. 

Each of the trainings are hosted by ACT Now staff members who have developed the curricula.

ACT Now’s workshop catalogue is listed below. Workshops can be customized to be tailored to the background of the audience, the size of the group, and length of the training window. However, overall curriculum is set. 

Not seeing the answer to your question here? Reach out to hello@actnowillinois.org for more help!

Workshop Offerings

See the current available offerings sorted by category below. Click the drop-down menu of each workshop’s description to learn more!

Title
Description
Recommended Duration
Recommended Audience
Building Partnerships
At ACT Now, we understand the importance of a communitywide investment in the positive development and well-being of youth and we believe that developing partnerships is an effective way of creating community stake in youth success.

Using our Creating Afterschool Partnerships Toolkit as a guide, this training will:
-Explore the structure of the toolkit
-Introduce attendees to the four phases of establishing meaningful partnerships (identification, building, implementation, and sustainability)
-Identify templates and resources

90 minutes

Program administrators and direct service staff

Deepening Existing Partnerships
This training session aims to enhance the effectiveness of existing community partnerships in community schools by teaching participants to critically evaluate and optimize these relationships.

The session covers methods to assess current partnerships, tools to identify growth opportunities, and strategies for deepening engagement, such as regular meetings and resource integration. It will also explore expanding partnership scopes through cross-collaboration and innovative models, and building capacity by leveraging partners for professional development and student support. Effective communication and collaborative leadership practices will be emphasized to ensure all stakeholders can engage clearly and effectively.

90 minutes

Program and school administrators, direct service staff

Partnership Sustainability
ACT Now’s Partnership Sustainability training session focuses on strategies for sustaining partnerships beyond the initial funding phases, emphasizing the crucial role of these collaborations in achieving collective impact.

The session will guide participants through the importance of partnerships from the grant writing stage through ongoing program development, with a strong emphasis on planning for sustainability from the beginning.
The training will cover various models of sustainability, including the continuation of entire partnerships, preserving essential elements, or maintaining relationships without active programming. It will provide insights on how partnerships can be leveraged to enhance community investment, provide diverse learning opportunities, and ensure that programs continue to engage and benefit youth, families, and staff effectively.

90 minutes

Program and school administrators, direct service staff

Title
Description
Recommended Duration
Recommended Audience
The 3 R’s of Workforce Development: RESET
In this training, participants will build foundational knowledge in and skills to systematically offboard employees and turn feedback into action.

This training is best suited for organizations who experience high turnover rates and experience frequent institutional knowledge loss.

1 – 1.5 hours

Program and school administrators

The 3 R’s of Workforce Development: RECRUIT
Participants will evaluate recruitment and onboarding strategies throughout the field of out-of-school-time (OST) programming.

During this training, participants will gain insight from their peers in the field and develop best practices for bringing on new staff from job postings to orientation. This training is best suited for individuals who are responsible for hiring new staff and are looking to streamline and improve their recruitment process.

1 – 1.5 hours

Program and school administrators

The 3 R’s of Workforce Development: RETAIN
During this training, we will aim to answer this question “How do we manage staff at all levels to best encourage their longevity in the organization?”.

We will discuss ways to foster positive organizational culture and climate, and how to prioritize professional development and advancement opportunities to promote staff retention. This training is best suited for individuals who are involved in training and supervising employees and are looking to improve workforce planning through development and retention strategies.

1 – 1.5 hours

Program and school administrators

Leveraging Technology for Capacity Building and Staff Development
How do we ensure afterschool activities are Culturally Responsive and address the specific needs of the communities we serve?

How do we incorporate these best practices into the standards of after-school programming? This training will seek to examine cultural responsiveness through the lens of out-of-school time programming and help establish a Culturally Responsive Framework of potential practices and resources derived from the 7 Quality Standard Core Service Areas.

1 – 1.5 hours

Program and school administrators, direct service staff

Forging Pathways to Success: Culturally Responsive Collaborations
This training session seeks to empower educators, school staff, and community leaders with the knowledge to create meaningful partnerships that support the diverse backgrounds and experiences of youth and families.

An important factor in culturally responsive partnerships is fostering equitable and inclusive practices. During this training, we will discuss strategies to address disparities and ensure that all youth and families have equal access to opportunities and resources.
Participants will:
-Understand the importance of responsiveness through collaboration.
-Develop effective community engagement skills.
-Learn how to promote equity and inclusion amongst youth, families, and communities.

1 – 1.5 hours

Program and school administrators, direct service staff

Title
Description
Recommended Duration
Recommended Audience
Gender & Sexuality 101
This training focuses on building foundational knowledge as well as best practices.

Gender and Sexuality in Out-of-School Time aims to be accessible and beginner friendly, to support facilitators who are beginning to work to make their programming more inclusive.
Topics included:
■ Spectra of Identities
■ Definitions of important concepts
■ Intersectionality
This training will center on the understanding that all youth deserve access to safe spaces, and this training will lay foundational knowledge for developing safe and inclusive practices in out-of-school time for LGBTQIA+ youth.This training is specifically designed for those who have limited knowledge or exposure to the ideas gender and sexuality or applying these ideas to work with LGBTQIA youth.

3 hours

Program and school administrators, direct service staff

Gender & Sexuality 102
This intermediate training will focus on developing an LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Trans/Queer/Intersex/Asexual and other identities) lens in out-of-school time spaces and developing relational and instructional approaches to best practices of inclusion and support.

Centered on the understanding that all youth deserve access to safe spaces, this training will lay foundational knowledge for developing safe and inclusive practices in out-of-school time for LGBTQIA+ youth and families. This training is specifically designed for those who already have some fundamental knowledge regarding the LGBTQIA+ community and the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ youth.

3 hours

Program and school administrators, direct service staff

Gender & Sexuality 103
Building on the foundational understandings developed during G&S 101 and the practical considerations of G&S 102, G&S 103 puts the focus on the participant as they apply these concepts and strategies toward real-world situations through self-reflection, case studies, and storytelling.  

This training focuses on intersectionality and accessibility, and developing strategies that can be brought directly to youth practice.

3 hours

Program and school administrators, direct service staff

Title
Description
Recommended Duration
Recommended Audience
Neurodiversity in OST 101
Due to several systemic changes, from updates to diagnostic models of AuAHD, expanding classroom expectations of inclusivity for neurodivergent youth, and the lingering social effects of the pandemic lockdown, out of school practitioners are being put on the forefront of addressing the needs of neurodiverse youth.

This training will give providers a foundational understanding of what neurodiversity means and methods of accommodation for a spectrum of youth. This session will also help practitioners develop their own plan for their youth that is culturally responsive and non-punitive. In a field where IEPs and 504 are often not shared outside of the school and in populations where diagnoses are either difficult to come by or racially biased, it’s even more important that practitioners be prepared to support all youth through strategies that plan for the margins, as opposed to a cookie cutter approach for the so-called “average” student. A focus of this training will be exploring free or low-cost accommodations that increase accessibility for both neurotypical and neurodivergent students alike.

1.5 hours

Program and school administrators, direct service staff

Title
Description
Recommended Duration
Recommended Audience
Peace Circle 101
Discover the power of Peace Circles as a tool for fostering understanding, trust, and collaboration within your team and with the young people you serve.

In this beginner-friendly training, you’ll learn the core principles of Peace Circles, explore how to create a safe and inclusive space for dialogue, and practice essential facilitation techniques. Whether you’re new to restorative practices or looking to deepen your engagement, this session will provide you with the skills and confidence to use Peace Circles as a meaningful way to build stronger, more empathetic communities in your work. Let’s create space for healing and growth—together!
Learning Objectives:
– Learn how to facilitate a Peace Circle
– Learn how to create and maintain safe and inclusive spaces
– Learn restorative facilitation strategies

2 hours

Program and school administrators, direct service staff

Conflict Resolution Through Circle Keeping
This training was designed to equip participants with invaluable tools for fostering peace and resolving conflicts effectively.

We will explore diverse strategies, including active listening, empathy-building, and collaborative problem-solving. Whether you’re navigating interpersonal disputes or addressing larger societal tensions, this training offers practical techniques to promote understanding, empathy, and sustainable resolutions.

1.5 hours

Program and school administrators, direct service staff

Leading Afterschool Change: Building Restorative Leadership in OST
Are you ready to transform your organizational culture through restorative and culturally responsive leadership?

In today’s unpredictable landscape, especially within the Out-of-School Time (OST) field, leaders who adopt restorative practices can empower their teams to thrive. This session will examine the critical role of restorative leadership playsin enhancing team morale, providing responsive professional development plans and encouraging resilience amid organizational challenges.

Join us as we explore innovative restorative leadership strategies that foster collaboration, trust, and engagement. Learn how to cultivate an environment where everyone feels valued, leading to sustainable success for your organization.

Don’t miss this opportunity to equip yourself with the tools to lead with intention and compassion!

1.5 hours

Program and school administrators

Title
Description
Recommended Duration
Recommended Audience
Scale Up Your SEL: Define It
Social-emotional learning (SEL) teaches the vital skills that help to lead a healthy, happy life.

During this training attendees will:
– Identify the core SEL competencies in an OST program
– Learn how they can mirror and carry through what the youth are doing during the school day to their afterschool programs
– Reframe the concept of classroom management in OST

1-1.5 hours

Program and school administrators, direct service staff

Title
Description
Recommended Duration
Recommended Audience
STEM Facilitation 101
This training highlights the basics of facilitating STEM activities.

We will cover quality program indicators, Science and Engineering Practices, activity planning, and activity reflection. Participants will participate in hands-on STEM activities to practice facilitation techniques of purposeful questions and student reflection. 3 hands-on activities will be introduced and practiced during the training.

3 hours

Program administrators and direct service staff

High Quality STEM at Low Cost
This session is all about getting creative with resources.

We’ll explore how everyday items like cardboard, plastic bottles, paper clips, and more can be transformed into powerful tools for teaching challenging and relevant STEM content. Participants will participate in hands-on activities that foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation—all while staying within budget. All will leave with 10 ready-to-implement activities that can be used in your after-school program as early as tomorrow!

3 hours

Program and school administrators, direct service staff

Chemistry in Afterschool
This session will introduce staff to a Chemistry curriculum designed for afterschool that includes 10 activities.

We will introduce and complete activities that utilize common and easy to obtain materials that highlight Chemistry concepts. Effective and safe implementation strategies will be discussed, supporting youth in exploring chemistry, and career connections to the Chemistry topics will all be included.

3 hours

Program and school administrators, direct service staff

Designing the Future: Engineering Curriculum
This session will introduce staff to a 10-activity engineering curriculum designed specifically for afterschool.

This hands-on training session introduces afterschool providers to the engineering design process and interactive activities that encourage problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. Discover how to guide students through real-world challenges while exploring exciting career paths in fields like electrical engineering, environmental science, civil engineering, and more.

3 hours

Program and school administrators, direct service staff

To the Moon and Beyond
This session will introduce staff to a space curriculum designed specifically for afterschool.

This engaging training session equips afterschool providers with interactive activities and lesson ideas centered on the mysteries of the universe and the excitement of space travel. Learn how to inspire curiosity about planets, stars, rockets, and astronauts while fostering STEM skills through hands-on experiments and engaging activities.

3 hours

Program and school administrators, direct service staff

Title
Description
Recommended Duration
Recommended Audience
Illinois Top 10 Quality Standards
Strengthen your program’s foundation and make a lasting impact with the Illinois Top 10 Quality Standards and Sustainability Training.

This in-depth, hands-on learning experience is designed to help you apply key insights directly to your work, ensuring growth and success for your afterschool program.

Don’t miss this opportunity to:
-Enhance your skills
-Connect with peers
-Create long-lasting impact

What You’ll Learn:
This course is packed with practical tips and strategies to help you integrate the Illinois Statewide Afterschool Quality Standards™ into your program. You’ll explore the framework, identify the Top 10 Quality Standards, and learn methods for strengthening program capacity and ensuring sustainability. Plus, you’ll tackle common implementation challenges and develop solutions that work.
By the end of the training, you’ll be equipped to enhance the quality and long-term success of your afterschool programs—ensuring a positive impact on the youth you serve!

3 hours

Program and school administrators, direct service staff

Title
Description
Recommended Duration
Recommended Audience
Advocacy 101
This introductory course provides a comprehensive overview of advocacy, empowering participants to drive meaningful change within their communities and beyond.

Participants will explore the fundamental principles of advocacy, including what it means to advocate, who can be the target of advocacy efforts, and how to effectively communicate their message. Key topics include:
-The definition and purpose of advocacy.
-Understanding the distinctions between lobbying and educating decision-makers.
-Identifying and engaging with key stakeholders such as legislators, policymakers, and community leaders.
-A foundational overview of government structures and timelines to understand how to influence policy effectively.

Participants will gain the skills and confidence needed to advocate for causes they are passionate about. This course is ideal for beginners interested in making a difference in the afterschool space.

3 hours

Program and school administrators, direct service staff

Engaging Youth and Families in Advocacy
This course focuses on strategies for empowering youth and families to become effective advocates for themselves and afterschool.

Participants will explore the unique strengths and perspectives that young people and families bring to advocacy efforts, as well as methods to foster their engagement and leadership.

Key topics include:
-Understanding the importance of youth and family voices in advocacy.
-Strategies for building trust and meaningful relationships with youth and families.
-Tools and techniques for developing advocacy skills in diverse populations.
-Creating inclusive spaces for collaboration and amplifying underrepresented voices.

Participants will gain practical tools to inspire and support youth and families in advocacy efforts, helping them navigate challenges and build confidence. Ideal for educators, nonprofit professionals, community organizers, and anyone passionate about promoting equity and empowerment, this course emphasizes the transformative power of collective action.

1.5 hours

Program and school administrators, direct service staff

Title
Description
Recommended Duration
Recommended Audience
Unpacking a NOFO and Needs Assessments
This session provides a foundational overview of how to effectively read and interpret a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Participants will learn how to extract key information, align organizational goals with funder priorities, and map out a responsive grant writing plan. The session also dives into the development of needs assessments, offering guidance on defining community needs, identifying credible data sources, and utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods to produce strong, evidence-based assessments that support the case for funding.

1-1.5 hours

Program administrators and direct service staff

Program Model and Design
This session equips participants with tools to design a strong, fundable program model.

Attendees will learn how to assess their organization’s capacity, structure a clear and achievable program management plan, and define a coherent program framework aligned with grant priorities. Emphasis will be placed on aligning vision, goals, and resources to create a compelling, mission-driven proposal that demonstrates both feasibility and impact.

1-1.5 hours

Program and school administrators, direct service staff

Goals, Objectives, and Evaluation
In this session, participants will gain a practical understanding of how to craft effective goals and measurable objectives within the context of a grant proposal.

The training will distinguish between outputs and outcomes, clarify the difference between goals and objectives, and provide tips for writing each clearly and persuasively. Participants will also explore various evaluation methods and tools to measure program success, learning how to integrate evaluation planning into the grant narrative to demonstrate accountability and impact.

1-1.5 hours

Program and school administrators

Budget and Budget Narrative
This session unpacks the budgeting process for grant applications.

Participants will review the key components of a Uniform Grant Budget (UGB), learn how to break down costs by category, and ensure alignment with program goals. The training will also cover how to craft a compelling budget narrative that justifies expenditures, reflects thoughtful planning, and reinforces the overall strength of the proposal.

1-1.5 hours

Program and school administrators