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

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Count) of Orange, the Santa Ana College, La Familia. Taller San Jose, Santa Ana Work Center and other Family Resource Centers in Santa Ana (e.g. Corbin Center). Main Purpose of Program The main purpose of the OCCT AC Arts & Learning Academy Program is to provide "hands-on" job training in the educational field. and mentoring experiences to young adults (14 - 21 ) in and out of school to bring about positive changes in their lives, and further their educational skills and future job opportunities. OCCTAC prioritizes on empowering youth through Arts, Literacy, Technology and Mentoring programs that build self-esteem & confidence, teach responsibility, leadership skills, job-related skills, and higher educational goals. Through our extensive educational (Arts, Literacy & Technology) programs and "hands-on" job training efforts, youth acquire essential skills while learning to adhere to basic employment principles, such as: showing up on time and as scheduled, filling out time-sheets, working in collaboration with others. attending staff meetings, and others. Educational and Job training opportunities at OCCTAC will take place in two phases: Phase 1: a 12 week Educational Training period in (ArtslLiteracy/Technology) and a stipend for youth during this phase; weekly literacylbasic skills training and job-coaching; monthly life-skills training and career counseling. During the first 3 months of the program, all participants will be required to attend the OCCT AC a minimum of 5 hours per week to receive educational training and support services. Participants ",ill meet with the case manager on a one to one basis at least 1 hour per week, a minimum of 1 hr. per week with the literacy instructor, at least 2 hours per week for educational training sessions, and 1 hour per week with the counselor for guidance with educational goals & life-skills training. All participants will receive a stipend each month for their participation. Phase 2: a 6 month "hands-on" job-training period (paid internship for out-of- school youth) while working under the supervision of one of our Learning Academy credentialed teachers or Arts/Technology instructors at the OCCTACs main facility or After-School Learning Academies in the Santa Ana Unified School District. During this period of time, participants will learn "hands-on" training to be "Mentors" for young children in the Learning Academy program or "Teacher Assistants" for the Arts/Technology programs. Also, participants will continue to receive weekly individual job-skills coaching and monthly life-skills training. Participants (out-of-school youth) in the program will be paid $8.00 per hour and encouraged to work as much as 15 hours per week. Concurrently, participants will meet regularly with counselor and guided to complete high school diploma or equivalency. Participants (in school) will be paid a stipend and provided with gift certificates to encourage them to stay in school and meet with a career counselor to plan for higher education. There are 5 full-time and 25 part-time staff members available to all youth enrolled at OCCTAC. Staff members work with each youth on a daily or weekly basis (depending on their individual hours) to provide support services, instruction and mentoring.