Illinois Collaboration On Youth

Child Welfare Coalition Call
2026-04-03 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-17 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-01 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-15 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-29 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-06-12 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | https://icoyouth-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/Yp_omhpyRjubXz0_6PtQ4A
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 government on the systematic challenges facing the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and the private agencies that deliver many of the services within their communities.
We work continuously with lawmakers and other stakeholders to educate them about the impact of nearly two decades of neglect of this system, and to advocate for the investments and reforms that are needed to fund and sustain the community-based providers of child welfare services.
These calls will take place twice a month and we are asking that all participants register to join.

LGBTQ+ Learning Community
2026-04-06 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-04 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-06-01 11:00 - 12:00 | https://icoyouth-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/bXgD5GkPSPOdD_iB1-BeWw
Join us for our monthly LGBTQ+ Learning Community, facilitated by Marlee Goodman, ICOY’s LGBTQ+ Liaison, HRC, and Manager of Healing-Centered Community Support. 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 the state. Together we will discuss common topics that impact our work and these communities. During these sessions, participants will have the opportunity to collectively share experiences, while crowd-sourcing potential solutions, supports, and resources. Each session will be inclusive and empathetic of ways to support program participants by using a hopeful and non-judgmental approach rooted in collective care and liberation.
Please note that this event is not a training, and as such, no Certificate of Attendance or CEUs will be provided. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Trauma Talks: Resilience After Sexual Trauma
2026-04-07 13:00 - 15:00 | https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1485349613679?aff=oddtdtcreator
This training will investigate the prevalence of child sexual abuse and sexual trafficking while exploring its impact on youth development specifically pertaining to possible social emotional consequences. This content will highlight the family and community systems and structures that create environments of vulnerability and lead to significant risk factors in youth. Finally, participants will gain an understanding of challenges of expressing the impact of these experiences and give providers tangible tools to support youth in their healing.
ICOY currently offers Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for participants with active Social Work and Professional Counseling licenses (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC) only. All CEU requests must be made in the evaluation form.

Please note, this event/training is not affiliated with or in partnership with IDHS. Everyone is welcome to attend!
Content Warning: Please note that this topic will touch on sensitive topics related to trauma such as the prevalence of child sexual abuse, sexual trafficking, their impacts, and the familial, communal, and societal structures and circumstances that put youth at risk for these experiences. Please be aware that some content may be distressing or triggering for individuals with personal and professional experiences of these and related traumas and challenges. While facilitators will include content warnings for prepared materials, please be aware that there may be self or case related disclosures from participants. We encourage you to practice self-care and feel free to step away at any time. For any additional needs or resources please reach out to our team at trauma_initiatives@icoyouth.org
About the Facilitaor:
Marlee Goodman (she/her) – Marlee Goodman has a strong foundation in direct service, with experience in grief, affinity spaces and identity, community building, and advocacy. Currently serving as a Training + Trauma Specialist, and LGBTQ+ Liaison at ICOY, she leads CARES, ICOY’s for-hire Trauma-Informed Services, and facilitates training and capacity-building to support service providers with gaining tools, skills, and knowledge about trauma-informed care. As an LGBTQ+ Liaison she ensures that ICOY is meeting the needs of organizations serving queer children, youth, families, and service providers across the state. Marlee use trauma-informed principles, restorative and reparative models, and intersectionality to guide every aspect of her work. Her approach to content and facilitation is rooted in her commitment to supporting organizations in their journey to not only dismantle oppressive systems, but to center communities in making healing accessible and sustainable.

ICOY Monthly Member Call
2026-04-08 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-13 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-08 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-08-12 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-09-09 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-10-14 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-11-11 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-12-09 12:00 - 13:00 | https://icoyouth-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/rnBsuXFtSqiNaIICo7AUPg
Register below for ICOY’s monthly member call where we’ll provide updates from state and federal agencies on topics related to your work. If you don’t currently belong to a member organization but would like to participate, reach out to ICOY’s Senior Manager of Communications & Outreach, Conor Van Santen, at cvansanten@icoyouth.org.

Community Youth Services (CYS) Management Meeting
2026-06-11 10:00 - 12:30
Please join us for the quarterly CYS Management Meeting. As a reminder, this meeting is mandatory for each program with the purpose of increasing communication across programs and with the state. Please note: this meeting is only open to organizations that currently receive CYS funding from IDHS.

ICOY Monthly Member Call
2026-07-08 12:00 - 13:00
