ORANGE COUNTY CHILDREN'S THERAPEUTIC ARTS CENTER 14 - 2009

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WIA Grant 2009-2010 OCCTAC Narrative each WIA participant to monitor their progress, assist with job skills training (e.g., resume writing, etc.), and help youth with job development. Program Services/Parent and Employer Involvement: OCCTAC provides a great variety of programs that empower both youth and adults! Our nurturing, community-based center provides a wide range of classes and family involvement activities, such as parenting classes, support groups, family counseling, financial literacy and others. Our interdisciplinary and holistic model provides WIA participants with a wonderful opportunity to involve their parents, siblings and friends. Our Center believes in community involvement, education and leadership. Therefore all of the programs that we serve incorporate youth, and parent involvement and participation. Furthermore, OCCTAC provides support, advocacy and education to our community families through invited guests that provide in-kind services to our Center in the spirit of community leadership! Placement in Jobs or Continuing Education: Youth who successfully complete their training program are recommended and sometimes hired as tutors or teacher assistants to work in our Learning Academy program. In addition, OCCTAC will provide youth job preparation workshops, participation in job fairs, resume preparation, one-on-one job skills training and coaching and referrals. All WIA participants will be paid for their "hands-on" job training in the placement site of their choice at OCCTAC programs (i.e. Arts Program, Media Lab, Learning Academy, etc.) Please see Table 3. During this period of time, all WIA participants will receive $8.00 per hour and will continue with their tutoring and be encouraged to work up to 10-hours per week. If needed, the participants will receive the other support services available at the Center. During the last 4-months of the program, WIA participants will slowly transition out of work experiences at the center, and into otherjob interviews and opportunities in the community. During this last period the case manager will continue to work closely with the SAUSD TPP job developer to help find youth a job in the community. Furthermore, OCCTAC will work in collaboration with the Santa Ana Work Center, Parks and Recreation, and other community agencies to find jobs for our youth. In partnership with the Santa Ana College/Centennial Education, youth who have not completed their secondary education will also be encouraged to co-enroll in a high school diploma or certification program sponsored by the SAC College. Follow-up and Retention: OCCTAC is committed to provide follow-up services to students after they have completed their planned goals, including mentoring, job coaching, and support services to all 18 WIA participants. Follow-up services will include: a) providing job placement and referral to youth, b) providing assistance to students so they can maintain work for at least 6 months through mentorship and support services, c) working in partnership with the employers of WIA graduates to ensure work success, and d) work in collaboration with the SAUSD TPP job developer to help youth find a job in the community. 3. Describe how training and employment services lead to occupations in high growth/high demand industries. and 4. Describe how training and services result in career paths that lead youth towards self-sufficiency. Please provide Labor Market Information if training is provided. All of the services previously described are the fundamental elements forjob search, retention and future success for WIA participants. These services support the High Growth Training Initiative as identified by the United States Department of Labor. "This initiative is a strategic effort to prepare workers to take advantage of new and increasing job opportunities in high growth, high demand and economically vital sectors of the