ORANGE COUNTY CHILDREN'S THERAPEUTIC ARTS CENTER 14 - 2009

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WIA Grant 2009-2010 OCCTAC Narrative Finally, over the last 8 years, OCCTAC has established other partnerships with key agencies in our community, County of Orange (Social Services), the Regional Center, the Santa Ana College and several family resource centers. These partnering agencies have referred participants to OCCTAC, as well as provided additional services to our participants, such as: support groups, parenting, leadership adult classes (including ESL, technology, and parenting), and others. These partnerships have been essential for the development and expansion of the services that we provide our community. 9. Describe how adequate staffing will be maintained to ensure success of this program. The key staff for this program will consist of 1-full-time case manager, 1 part-time arts/technology mentor, 2 part- time instructors, including 1-literacy & 1-science-math, and 1 part-time Career counselor. Under the supervision of our OCCTAC Chief Operating Officer and Case Manager, the work, performance levels and progress of each WIA participant will be monitored on a regular basis by our key staff. The staff will meet bi-monthly to discuss the goals, progress, and services for each student. In addition to our key staff, OCCTAC will also provide other non-WIA support staff, including credentialed teachers/educators, professional artists, and counselors in our various programs to serve as mentors for WIA participants as they engage in work related experiences and other support services. When participants are ready to engage in work experience, the WIA participants will be placed in a program of their choice and monitored primarily, by both key staff members as well as support staff. OCCTAC employs: 5 full-time and 40 part-time staff members, most of whom are available to the youth enrolled at our center. Designated OCCTAC staff members will work with the WIA youth on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, depending on the service components, such as mentoring, instruction and support services. Furthermore, OCCTAC key staff, along with our community partners will meet on a regular basis to discuss other support services that can be provided to the WIA participants. B. Main Purpose of Program 1. Indicate what will the program accomplish and how it fits in with WIA goals. The main purpose of the OCCTAC Arts & Learning Academy Program is to provide out-of-school youth with and without special needs the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills to successfully transition into the workforce, and further their education and training. This year we are placing a greater emphasis on preparing our youth to increase their levels of proficiency in math and science. This priority is aligned with the Youth Councils new focus, to prepare youth for achieving goals in STEM careers. We are currently developing a partnership with the department of Mathematics and Sciences at both Orange Coast and Santa Ana College. One of the goals is to collaboratively support the student's academic improvement and development, in an effort to help youth make the most out of their current educational and post-secondary experiences. Thus, students' learn how to make the connection between their academic understanding and how that knowledge can be transferred into the workplace as well as guide their future career plans. OCCTAC is in the unique position to teach WIA participants about the relationship between art, science and technology and the possible career paths that are available. Within the emergent field of New Media, science, math, technology and art are fused together to invent new ideas and careers. Once students understand the possibilities available in these areas, they will have the opportunity to explore what is possible in technology and art from both and artistic, mathematical and practical viewpoint.