ORANGE COUNTY CHILDREN’S THERAPEUTIC ARTS CENTER 13

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4. Is the facility compliant with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA)? Yes! The facility is fully accessible and compliant with all ADA guidelines and regulations. 5. Internet Access. OCCTAC provides Internet access to WIA program staff, as well as to all WIA participants. Technology is an essential component of our program since many older youth are highly interested in careers involving technology. II. About Your Organization Description of the Proposer & Experience. 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. OCCTAC and the Executive Director have received numerous community awards and recognitions, including a City of Santa Ana Community Building Award, a Human Rights award by the Orange County Human Relations, a MAMA Community Arts and Culture award, an Organizational Entrepreneurship award by the Hispanic Business Women Association, and others. OCCTAC is staffed by highly qualified bilingual credentialed teachers, artists and therapists certified to provide services to youth with and without disabilities. There are 5-Full-time staff and 30-Part-time staff who are employed in various classes and programs at the Center. These programs include: 1) OCCTAC Early Start Program, 2) OCCTAC Preschool Program, 3) OCCTAC After -School Arts Program, 4) OCCTAC Learning Academy & Tutoring Program, 5) OCCTAC Media Lab & Technology Training, and 6) OCCTAC Therapeutic Arts Program. First and foremost., we educate and empower youth in Orange County`s most at -risk, underserved and diverse community through innovative programs that build self esteem, leadership skills, self discipline, good study habits and creative expression. As noted before. our variety of programs integrate both at -risk youth and youth with disabilities in a nurturing, community -based environment that teaches respect, cultural diversity, disability awareness and inclusion. We are the only facility in Orange County and Santa Ana that offers this powerful combination of the arts, academics and creative therapies for youth with and without disabilities. Our programs have cultivated many success stories where students have improved their academic and literacy tests scores, some of our High school dropout students have re -enrolled in classes towards earning their diplomas. and very talented older youth have been hired as arts teachers in the community! The Center has had a tremendous impact on Santa Ana youths and their families. It is a catalyst for change and provides students and families access to new opportunities, and community leadership! As stated before, OCCTAC is committed to empowering youth to reach their fullest potential academically, emotionally and artistically. Through our innovative approach which combines the arts, academics, and creative therapies, participants are engaged and involved in a variety of programs at OCCTAC. Parent involvement and participation is a key mission at our Center. Since our inception, OCCTAC has had a Parent Committee. Every year our parent committee is very active at our center, and meets regularly with the Executive Director to discuss educational programs offered to our students and parents, as well as to develop social & cultural events at our Center. The parents 12