Illinois AfterSchool Network

05/07/2026

Excited to co-lead a national webinar with Collaborative for Advancing Healthy Experiences in OST (CAHE-OST), with Katherine Korey of Bright Promises Foundation on May 21!

We’ll be sharing how strong, mission-aligned partnerships can strengthen out-of-school time programs, expand impact, and create healthier outcomes for youth and communities.

Looking forward to this important conversation with OST leaders from across the country! Free and virtual event, all are welcome!

Join the Collaborative for Advancing Healthy Experiences in Out-of-School Time (CAHE-OST) on May 21 at 2pm Eastern for an interactive training session designed for out-of-school time (OST) professionals to explore how meaningful partnerships can strengthen program capacity, support sustainable progr...

03/05/2026

Powerful things happen when people who care about young people come together.

We’re proud to celebrate Illinois leaders making a difference in the lives of youth across our state.

📸 In the photos below, meet our 2026 award recipients:
🏆 Community Champion Kenny Riley at Carole Robertson Center for Learning
🏆 Inspiring Futures Program- Healing Through Justice at Communities United
🏆 Visionary Board Member- Setara Sous at Champions/ KinderCare Learning Companies
These honorees represent the passion, leadership, and commitment that strengthens expanded learning and afterschool programs throughout Illinois.
If you haven’t registered yet — come join us! The Illinois Afterschool Network Annual Conference is almost here, and it’s not too late to join us! Onsite registration will be available for this incredible day of learning, connection, and inspiration.

📍 Heartland Community College
📅 March 7
Let’s celebrate, learn, and continue building opportunities for young people together. ✨

02/20/2026

We are proud to celebrate our Board Member Award recipient, Setara Sous of KinderCare Learning Centers Champions! 🎉

This recognition reflects the extraordinary way Setara shows up as an outstanding teammate — consistently contributing to the growth of opportunities for our network and generously offering insight, feedback, and thoughtful perspective to strengthen our work.

Her willingness to lean in, ask important questions, and share her expertise has made a meaningful impact on our organization and, ultimately, on the youth and communities we serve across Illinois. She models collaboration, leadership, and a deep commitment to advancing the afterschool field.

We are incredibly grateful for your dedication and partnership, Setara. Thank you for helping us grow stronger, think bigger, and serve better. 💙

02/19/2026

Hay algo poderoso en reunirnos en persona.

Únase a nosotros para un increíble día de aprendizaje, conexión e inspiración en la Conferencia Anual de la Illinois AfterSchool Network (IAN) el 7 de marzo. 🎉

¡Contaremos con 2 traductores en vivo para todos nuestros amigos hispanohablantes!

Esto no es solo desarrollo profesional — es un espacio para colaborar con colegas, intercambiar ideas, descubrir nuevas estrategias y salir con energía renovada para apoyar mejor a los jóvenes a quienes servimos en todo Illinois.

Aprendamos, crezcamos y lideremos — juntos.

¡Regístrese hoy y acompáñenos en este día tan significativo de conexión en persona!

https://forms.gle/6A5heyjpQWs1TCur5

02/19/2026

There’s something powerful about coming together in person.
Join us for an amazing day of learning, connection, and inspiration at the Illinois AfterSchool Network (IAN) Annual Conference on March 7! 🎉
This isn’t just professional development — it’s a space to collaborate with peers, exchange ideas, discover new strategies, and leave energized to better support the young people we serve across Illinois.

Let’s learn, grow, and lead — together.
Register today and join us for this impactful day of in-person connection!

40 Years Strong: Rooted in Purpose, Reaching for Potential Elevating Leaders, Branching Beyond, Growing Futures Celebrate forty years of supporting afterschool programs at our annual statewide conference on March 7, 2026 at Heartland Community College in Normal, Illinois. This year, we honor four de...

01/20/2026

As we celebrate 40 years of supporting afterschool professionals, we want to ensure cost isn’t a barrier to growing your leadership and impact.

Looking for assistance with IAN Conference registration or travel?
Your local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) network may be able to help through Individual Professional Development Funds.

✔️ Reimbursement of 80% per person, up to $500
✔️ Can be used for conferences and professional learning beyond CCR&R-hosted trainings
✔️ Requires proof of payment, receipt, and attendance

Find your CCR&R region and support point organization on the website and take the next step in your professional growth. Together, we’re branching beyond and growing futures—for ourselves and the youth we serve.

https://www.inccrra.org/about/sdasearch

INCCRRA

01/15/2026

Having a hard time staying grounded during difficult times? Kam Green has you covered with a short 5 minute video that leads you through some quick ways we can reset ourselves and our youth in any setting. Great to share out with families in afterschool spaces and community spaces.

Family-friendly breathing exercises and emotion tools to help you and your child connect, stay grounded, and understand big feelings. By Kam Green in partner...

01/12/2026

Looking for a free and virtual training to increase your social connections at home and in afterschool spaces? Marcy Peake from the Center of Cultural Agility is leading a two part training series starting tomorrow. Still time to register!

SEL Skill Building in safe and supportive spaces are the amazing ways to really dive into how you can create meaningful conversations and interactions with youth, families and your community.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/YDO3fE_lRtmtGU-ORqUoHA

Focus: Community + Social Connectedness In an ever-changing world, social connections can be challenging to find, navigate, and maintain for children and adults. Children first learn about making social connections from their observations and engagement with the adults in their lives. Through invoki...

01/12/2026

Have you had a moment to check out the awesome resources Bright Promises Foundation has on their Bright Communities website?

Love learning new ways to approach fairy tales as a way to talk about negative feelings with your kiddos at home. Available in English and Spanish- this site is one to book mark and keep coming back to as more resources are added all the time!

https://www.brightpromises.org/bright-communities

Access free, expert-informed tools to help caregivers support children and youth in emotional development, healthy communication, and strong relationships. Bright Promises offers resources to promote positive growth at home and in the community.

01/08/2026

Work with youth or in a caregiver role and looking for an engaging FREE & virtual SEL Skill building training? Marcy Peake has you covered starting next Tuesday at 10am. As part of our ongoing partnership with Bright Promises Foundation we are thrilled to have this resource available to all.

This two-part session begins with strategies for adults to assess, demonstrate, and cultivate social connection skills with children in their personal and professional capacities, and concludes with inspiring ideas for organizations to create opportunities to cultivate social connect within and between organizations.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/YDO3fE_lRtmtGU-ORqUoHA #/registration

Focus: Community + Social Connectedness In an ever-changing world, social connections can be challenging to find, navigate, and maintain for children and adults. Children first learn about making social connections from their observations and engagement with the adults in their lives. Through invoki...