ORANGE COUNTY CHILDREN'S THERAPEUTIC ARTS CENTER 14 - 2009

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WIA Grant 2009-2010 OCCTAC Narrative 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. 6. Describe what makes your facility youth friendly and suitable for the proposed activities/services. The current OCCTAC space is 8,000 square feet and is located on the first floor of the building with an open outdoor space available to the staff and participants. As stated above, our hours of operations are longer and suitable in meeting the needs of the WIA participants, who have additional activities and commitments. The WIA staff has their own office with enough room to tutor and/or meet with participants. Most of the activities and work experience takes place at the OCCTAC location the participants can plan their activities accordingly. The OCCTAC Administrative and support staff have been with the organization in most cases for more than 4-years and are dedicated, helpful, friendly and experienced. They welcome the opportunity to work closely with the WIA participants! II. About Your Organization A. Description of the Proposer 1. Discuss the current number of full time and part time personnel employed, average annual operating budget and sources of revenue. 2. How long has your organization been serving Santa Ana youth? 3. What kind of impact has your services made to the youth in the community? 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 MANA 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 between 40 and 50-Part-time staff (some seasonal) who are employed in various classes and programs at the Center. These programs include: 1) OCCTAC Early Start Program, 2) OCCTAC Preschool Program, 3) OCCTACRfter-School Arts Program, 4) OCCTAC Learning Academy & Tutoring Program including the Wraparound Program in collaboration with the County of Orange; 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- riskyouth 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!