ORANGE COUNTY CHILDREN'S THERAPEUTIC ARTS CENTER 14 - 2009

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WIA Grant 2009-2010 OCCTAC Narrative Chief Operating Officer-Dr. Gail Arriola-Nickell holds a Ph.D. in Psychology, and has worked at OCCTAC for the last eight years. As the COO and former Director of Programs, Dr. Arriola-Nickell brings strong leadership and innovation in directing both the professional and organizational development. Dr. Arriola-Nickell has over fourteen years of successful public programming experience, working with a diverse range of projects and with implementing educational programs for children, youth and adults. She has a strong background in administration, organizational development and management. Her affiliations are: Marquis Who's Who of American Women 2005; County of Orange Certificate of Recognition 2000; Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition 2000; California State Assembly Certificate of Recognition 2000; Orange County's United Way Hispanic Development Council Multi- Ethnic Leadership Institute 2000. W18-Case Manager-Mercedes-(Meche) Avirad has worked at the Center for the past 7-years. Ms. Avirad holds a BA is Psychology from California State University, Fullerton. Two years ago she stepped into the position as Case Manager for our WIA program, and is proficient at working with the computer reporting system and student documentation. Additionally, she has experience in working with disadvantaged youth, ages 5 to 17 teaching bi-lingual education and academic tutoring for academic improvement while living in Peru. Literacy Coach-Rebecca Nelson is a credentialed teacher who has worked in the OCCTAC After-School Learning Academy Program as our Instructional Specialist for the past three years. She is trained in administering the HOSTS Learning System, HOSTS Learner Link and STAR Reading. In addition, Rebecca is a former business owner, who returned to her vocation, educating children and youth in her community. She has a BCLAD Teaching Credentia{ and has worked for the Orange Unified School District GATE Program and the Santa Ana Unified School District in the Two-Way Language Immersion program. Currently she is completing a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and has completed the Administrative Credential at Cal Poly Pomona. She is Bilingual/Bi-literate, motivated and dedicated to working closely with parents and students, teaching them to be proactive and involved in the educational process and to have a positive impact on their academic achievement and future goals. Arts/Technology Mentor-Hector Zaragoza has been teaching for the past ten years. He has focused primarily on teaching at-risk youth, as well as students from the Juvenile Justice System. Hector Zaragoza worked close to ten years with the Orange County Department of Education and learned to motivate and work with a variety of students and their unique learning styles. Hector Zaragoza has been teaching at OCCTAC for the past three years and has a strong background in visual arts and technology (with emphasis in graphic design). He is the owner and designer of HEIRO Clothing. Career Counselor-Kelly Yrarrazaval holds a degree from the University of California, Irvine in Consensual Dispute Resolution Processes and Mediation Skills Training; Completion of twenty-five hour program in accordance with the California; Dispute Resolution Programs Act and graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Master of Science, in Counseling Pupil Personnel Services Credential. From May 1992 -Sept 1992, she studied Spanish in Central America; (CADS (Institute for Central American Development Studies) and lived with a native Costa Rican family. Kelly has worked as the PAL/Conflict Resolution Trainer for Orange County Department of Education and has been a Curriculum Specialist (SST), Pupil Support Services, and School Counselor at Sierra Intermediate and Valley High Schools, both within the Santa Ana Unified School District. Literacy Coach-Jose Flores has worked with OCCTAC for the last four years in the After School Learning Academy, the Arts and Literacy and WIA Program. He has been implementing the Arts & Literacy