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how to make the connection between their academic understanding and how that knowledge can be transferred <br />into the workplace as well as guide their future career plans. The OCCTAC program also prioritizes on helping <br />youth attain their diploma, GED, and enroll in a certificate program of their choice that will provide better <br />opportunities for them to findjobs in their fields of interest. Our dedicated team of professionals is committed to <br />assisting youth obtain higher educational levels and career paths. <br />5. What is the length of the program, and how much time will a youth need to be in this program to get the <br />full benefits of each component offered? In order for participants to get the full benefit of our program and <br />each component offered, WIA participants are required to commit to at least 8 months of training and work <br />experience. It is understood that many WIA participants have demanding circumstances in their lives, which, <br />often dictate their ability to maintain their established training and work schedule. However, the OCCTAC staff is <br />committed to support the participants' efforts towards achieving their educational and career goals. <br />6. Indicate how the program will attract and interest youth. OCCTAC has a good reputation in the community <br />and many WIA participants recommend the program to their friends or relatives. Every year, OCCTAC attracts <br />new participants through "word of mouth" from previous participants and community members! Furthermore, our <br />innovative programs are also of high interest to youth in the community. Year after year OCCTAC continues to <br />grow and expand the level of services to WIA participants. We are most proud of our recent certificate programs <br />that will benefit tremendously the Santa Ana transitional age youth population. <br />7. Describe how the program interacts and is supported by other agency programs. OCCTAC has a great <br />collaborative relationship with all the other agency programs, including the Santa Ana Work Center. OCCTAC <br />has co -enrollments with Taller San Jose, Orangewood Foundation, Cambodian Family and SAUSD Success <br />Bound programs. Also, this year OCCTAC is providing all agency partners, such as Orangewood, the <br />opportunity to enroll their participants in our new state certificate programs offered at our agency. WIA <br />participants from all agency programs can attend our facility Monday through Friday, and receive free training in <br />any of our certificate programs, as well as participate in our free computer lab program. <br />8. Describe collaborations/partnerships that will assist in recruitment. During the past two years, OCCTAC <br />has had a strong partnership with the Santa Ana Unified School District, Transition Partnership Project (TPP) to <br />serve youth with disabilities exiting high school. (See letter of support). In partnership with the SAUSD <br />Transition Partnership Project, we will ensure that our enrollment goals will be met by the second quarter of the <br />contract. OCCTAC staff and SAUSD TPP staff will meet on a regular basis to discuss potential candidates. <br />SAUSD staff will refer mild-moderate students with disabilities to our program after they have exited high school, <br />but lack the necessary skills to successfully transition in the labor force and need further education and training. <br />Many of the participants referred will be high functioning youth with disabilities, including: learning disabilities, <br />autism, health impairments and others. <br />This past year, OCCTAC has also established a great partnership with SAUSD/Success Bound program which <br />serves In -School youth who are high school seniors, and then assists them with the transition into college. During <br />their first year in college, Success Bound provides them with support for one more year, while OCCTAC serves <br />former Success Bound participants that are still in need of additional assistance. These youth will have the <br />opportunity to select an area of our training that is related to both their career and educational interests, as it <br />relates to our program design. Many of these youth will benefit from acquiring additional work experience. We <br />will also support them with attaining their employment goals. (See letter of support). OCCTAC will continue to <br />build new and existing partnerships to ensure our enrollment goals are met while expanding the level of services <br />to our WIA participants! <br />9. Indicate how program will collaborate/partner with stakeholders. The OCCTAC Arts and Learning <br />Academy program will collaborate/partner with our stakeholders during the entire year by requesting continuous <br />feedback from WIA participants on their learning experience, how to improve the services that we provide them, <br />Exhibit A <br />