ORANGEWOOD CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION (2) - 2010

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8. Describe collaborations/partnerships that will assist in recruitment. Foster Youth Liaison Project (FYLP) staff assigned to this project will participate in Santa Ana Youth Council activities, which include Youth Council meetings, YSPN meetings, etc. They will utilize these interactions to inform potential participants and partner agencies about FYLP and distribute marketing materials. Furthermore, the Orangewood Children's Foundation may utilize its current partnerships with community and faith based, educational, governmental, judicial, and social services agencies to achieve the goal of serving foster youth in this project. For example, since we are targeting young adults who have aged out of the foster care system, we may utilize our relationships with agencies serving the emancipated foster youth population. Other agencies we work with who serve emancipated foster youth residing in Santa Ana include Orange County's THP Plus, YWCA of Orange First Steps Transitional Housing Program, Providence, Olive Crest Foster Family Agency Alumni Services, OCDE Youth Services Program, Santa Ana College Guardian Scholar Program, etc. Internally, many emancipated foster youth residing in Santa Ana attend our Independent Living Skills workshops, apply for our Rising Tide Transitional Housing Program, apply for or receive college scholarships through our Children's Trust Fund, participate in our Mentor Program, and visit the Orangewood Resource Center (ORC). With approximately 500 - 600 youth who visit the ORC each year paired with other internal programs and partner agencies who serve emancipated foster youth, we are confident we will recruit 24 foster/ emancipated youth. B. Main Purpose of Program 1. Indicate what will the program accomplish and how it fits in with WIA goals. The Foster Youth Liaison Project will increase employment/education rates, diploma/certificate rates, literacy/numeracy rates, offer long-term support to help foster youth with academics and occupational development and encourage further education and training. We will serve 24 foster/emancipated youth and accomplish the following objectives based on the 2008/2009 Local WIA Performance Rates: Participants • Literacy/Numeracy Skill Attainment - At least 3 (15%) participants will become proficient in basic skills (based on 20 eligible, older, out-of-school clients). The 4 older, in-school clients are not eligible for this performance measure • Attainment of Diploma or Certificate - At least 11 (45%) participants will attain a diploma or certificate by the end of the third quarter after program exit (based on 24 clients). All 24 clients are eligible for this performance measure • Entered Employment/Education Rate - At least 13 (65%) participants will secure a job or participate in post-secondary education and/or advanced training/occupational skills training in the first quarter after program exit (based on 20 eligible, older, out- of-school clients). The 4 older, in-school clients are not eligible for this performance measure 2. What is the length of the program, i.e., how much time will a youth need to be in this program to get the full benefits of each component offered? The length of the program is one year with one additional year of follow-up services after program exit. Although program participants can participate in the program for up to one year, some participants may not need a full year to accomplish set goals. However, it is our experience that participants enjoy and benefit from the services offered in this EXHIBIT A OCF/Foster Youth Liaison Project 3