ORANGE COUNTY CHILDREN'S THERAPEUTIC ARTS CENTER 15 - 2010

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The following program descriptions offer a brief summary of the programs that OCCTAC has been operating for many years. The WIA participants have the unique opportunity to learn about these particular programs at the center for training and work experience but they also have access to taking some of the arts classes. We have been so pleased with the number of WIA students who have trained in these areas and have also become teachers in the After-school ARTS program, here at the center. Additionally, we have both collaborated and provided Providence youth with employment training and have placed some of them as tutors and in our front office. We also have over 50 Volunteers and Interns (approx. 17 to 23 years old) every session who gain work experience in an area related to their career of choice. After-school ARTS Programs: The OCCTAC After school ARTS program provides artistic training in the fields of Music, Visual Arts, Dance, Musical Theatre, and Media Lab and Technology training to at -risk youth, and children with special needs in the community. The program runs Monday through Friday from 3:30 until 8:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It includes a wide variety of classes, such as: piano, guitar, singing, violin, hip-hop, ballet, painting, drawing, graphic arts, and much more! We have had many WIA youth who were trained in this area and five were later hired as instructors at the center. Also, in the area of Media Arts and Technology, we have trained over 15 WIA youth. Some of them discovered Graphic Arts as a career of choice and are currently attending higher educational institutions pursuing their emerging career. Early Start Program: The Early Start program is a partnership with the Santa Ana College, and serves very young children (6 months to 2 1/2 years of age). This early intervention program aims at educating parents and their young children in a natural community environment that enhances students' cognitive, language, motor and social development. This program runs Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Parent & Child Preschool Program: The Preschool Program serves young children ages 3, 4 and 5 and their parents. The program educates parents and their young children by providing school readiness activities integrated with the arts, and parenting classes. The program runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. The goals of the program are focused on family literacy, second language development, and school readiness. Over 20 WIA youth have received training and work experience in both the Early Start and Pre-school programs. Two WIA youth were trained and later hired by OCCTAC as teaching assistants. Therapeutic Arts Program: Our Center offers music therapy, art therapy and expressive arts therapy to children and youth of all ages and disabilities in Orange County to enhance their psychological, socio -emotional, communication, and cognitive development. Students with special needs are referred by the Regional Center, school districts, County of Orange and other partnering agencies in the community. We have trained 10 or more WIA youth in this program. Homework Support & Tutoring Program: The Homework Support & Tutoring Program provides our students free tutoring in Language Arts (reading and writing), support with other academic subjects and homework support. Over 10 WIA youth participated in this training and received work experience. 2. What kind of experience do you have in incorporating parents, youth and employers into your programs? 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 have organized events and activities to unite with the community and attract even more parent involvement with the school and local businesses. They have initiated fundraisers to support the school and to further add to the educational resources at OCCTAC. They also participate in the community education seminars and many are involved in receiving parent education classes. 14 EXHIBIT A