O.C. CHILDREN’S THERAPEUTIC ARTS CENTER 9 - 2007

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Exhibit A PROPOSAL NARRATIVE Please answer each question as concisely as possible About the Program Executive Summary The OCCTAC Arts & Learning Academy Program proposes to provide "hands-on" job training in the educational field. and mentoring experiences to young adults (14 - 21 ) with the goal of teaching them self-reliance through structured educational and job training opportunities in education. arts and technology fields. Over the course of the next year, OeCT AC will recruit 20 youth (10 in school and 10 out of school). Founded in 2000, OCCTAC has quickly grown to be recognized as one of Santa Ana's leading community builders and most successful new nonprofits for families of culturally diverse backgrounds and limited resources. Despite our relatively short history, OCCT AC has received numerous awards and recognition from the City of Santa Ana, Orange County Human Relations, and others. Currently, OCCT AC offers a wide variety of educational and therapeutic programs for youth and their parents. Our programs emphasize a family systems model that is holistic in nature that focuses on family wellness. Parents are an intricate part of the educational and therapeutic program outcomes, as well as the mission of our Center. Most of our programs integrate youth with and without disabilities in a nurturing and supportive environment that teaches respect, disability awareness, cultural diversity and inclusion. Some examples of our programs include: after-school arts. after schoolleaming academy program. media lab and technology training, therapeutic arts, leadership and support groups for parents and youth, parenting classes. and family counseling. aCCTAC Arts and Learning Academy program offers most WIA Elements/Services, with a strong emphasis on tutoring, leadership, mentoring, support services, counseling and hands-on job training in educational, arts and technology fields. The 2007 -08 training model for WlA participants enrolled in OCCT AC programs will focus on four key areas: Career Training Skills - educational and work experience, Employability/Job Skills - job preparation, Life Skills - on going personal development, and Academic/Basic Skills - on going academic development. aCCTAC will recruit (10) in-school, at-risk youth ages (14 -18), and (10) out-of- school youth ages (16 -21) through community outreach events & fairs, referral from community partners and referrals from other aCCTAC families. OCCTAC serves approximately 1,000 students each year. Five hundred of these students are served in the Santa Ana Unified School District through our Learning Academy Programs. and approximately 500 students are served every month at our Main facility/ Arts Center on Broadway. Because of the large numbers of families that we serve on a regular basis, this gives us the advantage of promoting and recruiting students for the various programs that we offer our community. Also, OCeTAl' participates in many community events throughout the year (at least one event per month). This provides an excellent opportunity to recruit program participants throughout the year. Furthermore. OCCT AC has established strong partnerships with key agencies in Santa Ana. Some of those include: the Santa Ana Unified School District,