TALLER SAN JOSE 16 - 2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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TSJ is not an island. Located in tbe geograpbic center of Santa Ana, the program interacts with numerous educational and social service organization to accomphsh its goals. TSJ views its role as a strong advocate for the unseen and underserved out-of-scbool youtb in Santa Ana. Paltnersblps wlth local organizations including: the Probation Department, La Familia, tbe Regional Occupation Program, the Santa Ana W /O/R/K Center (SA WC), Santa Ana College (SAC), and tbe Orange County Conservation Corps (OCCC) bave contributed to the on-going de,'elopment of programming and services at TSJ. SA WC has been a key partner for TSJ over the past several years. Collaboration between our orgamzations bas included recruitment and refen.al of clients, participation in sponsored job fairs, pre-employment workshops, and job refenals and placement. SA WC is in close geographical proximity to the TSJ site and will make its services and resources available to student and graduates of our work experience programs. SA WC staff will have an active role in tbepresentation of job skills to TSJ youth. TSJ will continue to work with SA WC as a center for recruitment of prospective students and a center for refenals to employment for TSJ graduates. 1. Outreach/Recruitment/Eligibility: TSJ recruits out-of-school and unemployed young adults (18-28) through the following avenues: . Community Outreach Coordinator - TSJ employs a full-time staff member to recruit pro gram participants . Refenals from cunent TSJ students - 65% of cunent students were refened by a friend or relative involved with TSJ . RefelTals from community partners including: the Orange County Probation Department, the Santa Ana WORK Center, Centennial Education Center, La Familia, OCCC, and others. Eligibility is detennined through an application process. Program participants at TSJ are required to completed an application for employment and provide original copies of right to work documents. The minimum requirements for enrollment are as follows: . Must be between the ages of 18-28 years of age . Possess valid right to work documents . Read English at a 6th grade level (technology program only) . Pass pre-hire drug screen 2. Intake/Assessment: An assessment of each smdent takes place prior to training at TSJ. Youth are interviewed by a staff member and complete a TABE assessment exam which detemlines the basic skills proficiency level of each youth. Program components are adjusted to meet the youth skill level. 3. Case Management: TSJ attributes its success at reaching and retaining Santa Ana's undereducated and unskilled youth to a holistic, relational approach to education and training. The pbilosophy of the program calls for high interaction between staff and youth. Staff members focus on making wan11 and suppOJ1ive contacts with youth from the first phone contact/walk-in, through orientation sessions and throughout the first critical weeks of the student's participation. 4