Closed for Winter Break!
After School Matters offices are closed for Winter Break from December 24 - January 2.
After School Matters works with both Employee Instructors and Community-Based Organizations to provide hundreds of high-quality programs to Chicago teens each year. Our instructors mentor and share their expertise with teens across the city, while having access to the best youth development practices.
Quality programs are built on a foundation of positive youth development practices. After School Matters follows a continuous quality improvement cycle to support program success, which includes assessing programs through observation and quantitative data, data-sharing and goal-setting, and intervention through attending professional development and coaching opportunities.
Professional Development offers a variety of workshops each program session ranging from anti-oppressive and restorative practices, mental health and trauma, youth development best practices, and connection and collaboration with other program providers.
For Professional Development Support: professional.development@afterschoolmatters.org
📅 Tuesday, March 17, 2026
📍 After School Matters at Orleans | 1065 N. Orleans St, Chicago
Calling all ASM Instructors! It’s time to RSVP for the 2026 Instructor Forum, a full day of workshops, breakout sessions, and hands-on activities designed to support, inspire, and connect our incredible instructor community. This year’s theme, “Shaping Our Future: Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow,” highlights the power of well-being, growth, and collaboration in our work with teens.
👉 Join us as we come together to learn and celebrate your hard work!
Review the Workshop Menu to select workshops you’d like to attend this session.
Professional Development is required and paid to program providers through “Meeting Hours” in their budget.
Use the Important Dates Calendar to find out about:
Use the Instructor Toolkit as a helpful resource for:
The Renewal Application process for FY27 (Summer 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027) programs for Current Program Providers will start soon. Our process consists of submitting the following: a Fall Instructor Program Report, a Renewal Interest questionnaire for Employee Instructors and Community Based Organizations (CBOs), and a proposed FY27 program budget.
Current Providers, defined as those providing a program with After School Matters during the current program year (Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026), should follow the 3-step process under “How to Renew.”
The Renewal Process for Current Program Providers (Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and Employee Instructor (EI) Programs) is a three-step process:
Use your YPQA data, site visit forms, program profile, and your program improvement plan (if applicable) to answer questions in the Fall Instructor Program Report, due on December 19, 2025. Additionally, please consider any discussions you may have had with your Program Specialist as you respond.
Note: We will review the Summer Instructor Program Report of providers who only offered Summer 2025 programs.
Employee Instructors (EI) and Community-Based Organizations (CBO): Submit the Renewal Interest Questionnaire before January 14, 2026. The Renewal/PQC Department will send these questionnaires to EIs and CBO Contract Administrators/Executive Directors during the 2nd week of January 2026.
Providers will be emailed instructions for proposing their FY27 budget, due on February 11, 2026, if ASM chooses to pursue your program.
Completion of the Instructor Program Report, EI Renewal questionnaire or CBO Update form, and proposed FY27 program budget, in no way guarantees that your program will be renewed and that you/your organization will run programs for After School Matters.
Watch this video to learn more about the Renewal Application process.
Note: For data points on Internships and Assistantships, please contact your Program Specialist.
December 19, 2025
Deadline for Current Program Providers to submit Fall Instructor Program Report
January 14, 2026
Deadline for Employee Instructors (EIs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to submit Renewal Interest Questionnaire to Renewal team/PQC.
February 11, 2026
Deadline for Current Program Providers to submit proposed FY27 program budget
January – Early March 2026
Programs Staff review Summer and Fall 2025 Instructor program report and other program-related data/documents; conduct Renewal Decision Meetings when needed
Late February – Late March 2026
Program selections are finalized
April 2026 (subject to change)
Program decisions and notifications sent
Tentative Program Dates
Late June 2026
Summer 2026 Programs Begin
Early August 2026
Summer 2026 Programs End
Late September/Early October 2026
Fall 2026 Programs Begin
Mid-December 2026
Fall 2026 Programs End
Late February 2027
Spring 2027 Programs Begin
Late May 2027
Spring 2027 Programs End