- ACRC
- Who We Are
- Conference Audience
- Hotel Information
- Youth & Family Voice
- ASL Interpreters
- Onsite Parking
- Award Nominations
ACRC’s 70th Annual Conference, Quality is the Tie that Binds: Our Enduring Commitment to Excellence will be held March 16-19, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois, where ACRC was founded. Collectively, we have witnessed and/or led transformation over time in the philosophy and practice of how we care for and support young people and families. There has been a global recalibration of who’s at the center of this work, shifting from credentials as the only indicator of credibility to include a recognition that people are experts on themselves and their families. True to the foundation of our work, initially established seven decades ago, this milestone gathering will center learning and dialogue around the core elements of progress: outcomes, impact, innovation, and advocacy. You, and your expertise, are the connecting thread that accelerates the steadfast goal of continuous quality improvement
The Association of Children’s Residential and Community Services (ACRC), founded in 1956, is an international organization focused on best practices and innovation in the care and treatment of children and their families. ACRC envisions youth and families thriving in their homes and communities with uncompromised access to high-quality residential and community-based interventions in a robust continuum of care. We support the work of experts in the field of child and youth behavioral health and mental wellbeing, including provider organizations, researchers, and public agencies across the United States and in several countries.
ACRC typically welcomes 600+ in-person and 1000+ virtual attendees from almost every state in the United States, with a smaller percentage attending from around the world. Conference attendees are practitioners, clinicians administrators, executive directors, evaluators, lived experts, researchers, students, program managers, supervisors, policymakers, model developers, and innovators who support quality and effectiveness in mental and behavioral health services to children, youth, and families. Cross-sector content applies to child welfare, juvenile justice, education, and mental and behavioral health leaders interested in research, policy, and practice.
Reservation Link COMING SOON
Hilton Chicago
720 S Michigan Avenue – Chicago, IL 60605 – United States
*all conference presentations will be held here*
Are you a young person or family member with firsthand experience with residential intervention and want to join us in Chicago – Email Amanda
For our In-Person Annual Conference, we have committed to provide In-Person ASL to attendees who request this. ACRC does need 6 weeks’ notice to provide these services. Please Email Amanda
Parking at the Hilton Chicago
More information COMING SOON
More Information COMING SOON
MAIN CONFERENCE
Early Bird Registration Rate Cutoff: February 2, 2026
MEMBER/NON-MEMBER
-
- $795/$995 – EARLY BIRD SPECIAL (Cutoff February 2)
- $895/$1095 – Rates after February 2, 2026
VIRTUAL INDIVIDUAL RATES
MEMBER/NON-MEMBER
- $200/$275
All keynotes and select workshops held in-person will be recorded or live streamed (and recorded) and placed on the virtual platform. Preconferences, Issues Lunches, Awards Lunch, & Policy Meetings will not be recorded.
VIRTUAL ‘ALL IN’ STAFF REGISTRATION
MEMBER/NON-MEMBER
- $1,100/$1,500
- Also includes $100 off each In-Person Registration
All keynotes and select workshops held in-person will be recorded or live streamed (and recorded) and placed on the virtual platform. Preconferences, Issues Lunches, Awards Lunch, & Policy Meetings will not be recorded.
CONFERENCE WEEK OVERVIEW
Registration/Exhibit Hall Open
Preconference Sessions
Public Policy Town Hall
Registration/Exhibit Hall Open
Keynote Presentation
Issues Lunches
Workshop Session A
Workshop Session B
Registration/Exhibit Hall Open
Plenary Presentation
Workshop Session C
Awards Luncheon
Workshop Session D
Social Event
Registration Open
Closing Keynote
Windy City
$20,000
Includes 8 in-person registrations and virtual ‘all in’ registration for your entire organization
Chi-Town
$15,000
Includes 5 in-person registrations and virtual ‘all in’ registration for your entire organization
Magnificent Mile
$10,000
Includes 4 in-person registrations and virtual ‘all in’ registration for your entire organization
Grant Park
$7,500
Includes 3 in-person registrations and virtual ‘all in’ registration for the entire organization
Navy Pier
$5,000
Includes 2 in-person registrations and virtual ‘all in’ registration for the entire organization
Millennium Park
$3,000
Includes 1 in-person registration and virtual ‘all in’ registration for the entire organization
Riverwalk
$1,800
Includes 1 in-person registration or 3 virtual attendees
Voice Champion
$500
Sponsor the travel of our Youth Advocates as they bring the voice of experience to the conversations and presentations in Boston.
Elevating their voices reflects the values ACRC holds dear and we are so thankful for your support.
Rates increase $200 after February 2, 2026 (Early Bird Cutoff)