Resource Database

Pathways RTC works to improve the lives of young people with serious mental health conditions through research and training. Resources include Promoting Positive Pathways to Adulthood, a 10-module training series designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of service providers across a variety of fields who work with youth and families facing mental health challenges. Free registration is required, and participants have the option of participating in data collection surveys to further the organization’s research efforts. CEU credits are also available.

The Illinois Principals Association and ISBE have partnered to provide access to Ed Leaders Network (ELN) for Illinois education leaders and practitioners. Experts from Illinois and across the country provide online professional development trainings, webinars, and discussions on topics such as family engagement, literacy, and restorative practices. Free access to this professional networking community is granted to districts, so afterschool programs may need to contact district leadership to explore this resource.

Online resources developed by ISBE content area specialists are available through Illinois Classrooms in Action. The web page serves as a portal to a range of offerings such as professional development workshops, content area guides, classroom resources, instructional supports, downloadable presentations, stakeholder communications, and recommended Illinois web pages.

When considering ways to involve families in program planning, it’s important to think about how you and your staff are reaching out to families. Families can provide valuable insight toward program improvement, but barriers to engagement, such as work schedules and caring for other children, must be taken into account. “Involving Children and Families in Program Planning,” an article published by the National Afterschool Association, has some tips for overcoming obstacles and increasing family involvement in program planning.

This webinar recording from You for Youth presents tools, resources, and implementation strategies of the portal’s new course on college and career readiness. The strategies are designed to help afterschool practitioners and the students they serve move college and career readiness into practice, including setting goals and keeping projects focused on student needs.

Relationships with families and schools are key components to a successful afterschool program. This brief presented by the National Afterschool Association focuses specifically on how to engage families and school staff to increase their understanding of your STEM program highlights and happenings. Resources include conversation starters, newsletter content, and social media strategies.

Presented by the Afterschool Alliance, this webinar recording dives into the topic of measuring the impact of afterschool STEM experiences. Webinar presenters also discuss the role such programs have in the larger STEM education ecosystem and the important contribution they are making in students’ learning and development outcomes (free registration required).

PBS Learning Media provides easy-to-implement tips and tricks shared by youth who presented at Ford’s Theatre to help children improve their public speaking skills. Students can watch the four-minute video and practice skills in any program setting.

This resource from the Campus Compact focuses on how Global Service Learning is designed to stimulate targeted, reflective thinking on intercultural communication, competency, self-understanding, and comprehension of one’s position in society. The resource provides a reflection tool for program providers to engage with youth on issues such as intercultural border crossing, power, and privilege.

This webinar recording hosted by the Afterschool Alliance features experts from the Center for Childhood Creativity exploring seven critical components of creativity. These seven components are essential for children in order to think creatively, work creatively with others, and create innovative solutions to problems.