Upcoming Events
ICOY hosts training, policy forums, special events and other meetings for our membership, direct service providers contracted through the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and service administrators. See a calendar of all our upcoming events and training.
Events
Working with Youth Experiencing Housing Instability: Training for IDHS Homeless Youth Program Providers
This two-day webinar is designed specifically for new supervisory and front-line staff working in Illinois DHS-funded Homeless Youth programs. Participants will receive an orientation to both effective practice with youth experiencing homelessness and the program requirements necessary for successful implementation of DHS-funded services. Topics include understanding the unique needs and experiences of youth experiencing homelessness,…
Neurodiversity 101
Neurodiversity is a complex topic where shared language and understanding are essential to every team's success. Whether or not it's been named directly, young people and staff who are neurodivergent are present in every program. This two-hour foundational training gives participants a shared vocabulary for talking about neurodiversity, along with tools to recognize and consider…
Casey Life Skills
Please join us for this Casey Life skills training, developed by Casey Family Programs, which teaches youth providers how to use life skills assessments with youth in homeless youth and transitioning youth programs. Casey assessments also have applications in a variety of other youth service programs including basic centers, street outreach programs, educational outreach programs…
Regional Community Chat – Region 5
Regional Community Chats will help cultivate a collaborative community of providers, promoting open communication across contracts, peer learning, and resource exchange. Through regular meetings, providers will be able to address shared challenges across their regions If you would like to provide some ideas to guide our conversation, please fill out this Typeform: https://icoyouth.typeform.com/to/hG03e4ba …
De-escalation: A Strengths-Based Approach
In this training, participants will learn how to recognize the factors that contribute to escalation in both individuals and situations, while considering the broader situational context. Participants will explore the hierarchy of the brain and Dr. Bruce Perry’s 3 Rs to better understand why certain individuals or environments may be more prone to escalation. The…
The Impact of Substance Misuse on Family Systems
Trauma does not occur in isolation. It affects entire family systems and impacts relationships, communication, and overall well-being. In this training, participants will focus on understanding and supporting families impacted by substance misuse through a Harm Reduction framework. Together, participants will build language, tools, and resources to better understand stigma and bias and how these…
Child Welfare Coalition Call
Join ICOY and other member organizations on a call to discuss key changes in the child welfare and youth-led arena. The goal is to create a child welfare system that prepares youth to become successful and self-sufficient. Illinois Collaboration on Youth (ICOY) seeks to focus the attention of Illinois’ elected officials in all branches of…
Grants, Funding & Sustainability 101
Grants and funding can feel like a closed system to staff who haven't navigated it directly. This two-hour foundational training gives participants a shared understanding of how grant funding works, built around hands-on, interactive activities. Participants will learn to distinguish between public and private funding sources and apply a simple test for deciding whether a…
Leading with Purpose: Clarifying Your Vision and Values
Effective leaders do more than manage tasks—they provide direction, inspire commitment, and help others understand why their work matters. Participants will examine how a clear vision, grounded in shared values, can guide decisions, strengthen organizational culture, and motivate teams through both challenges and change. One and a half continuing education units (CEUs) will be available…
Identity, Culture and Power: The Ecosystem of Our Lives
This session invites participants to explore the interconnected concepts of identity, culture, and power, examining both their individual meanings and the dynamic relationships between them. Through discussion and reflection, participants will generate relevant examples that illustrate how individual identities are shaped by cultural contexts and influenced by power dynamics, while considering the impact of these…
Vicarious Trauma and Fostering Resilience
Participants will examine the signs, symptoms, and risk factors of vicarious trauma and its impact on those in the caring field. We will explore compounding factors, including moral injury, stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout, as they relate to social services. Through group discussion and reflection, participants will deepen their understanding of self-care, reconnect with their…
LGBTQ+ Learning Community
Join us for our monthly LGBTQ+ Learning Community, facilitated by Marlee Goodman, ICOY’s LGBTQ+ Liaison, HRC, and Training & Trauma Initiatives Specialist. These 1-hour conversational and informational sessions will create a space to bring together leaders in the field committed to advancing the rights, safety, and authenticity of queer youth, families, and service providers across…