ORANGE COUNTY CHILDREN'S THERAPEUTIC ARTS CENTER 16 - 2011

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3. Describe how staff will receive training and ongoing staff development to increase staff capacity and expertise in the field of youth development and employment. The OCCTAC staff participates in on-going training during the year. All related OCCTAC and Academy staff receives monthly training which covers, but is not limited to, implementing new academic curriculum and materials, documenting student growth, and teaching specially designed academic instruction in English to English Language Learners. Other trainings have included: Child Abuse identification and reporting, discipline strategies, lesson planning, building collaborative teams, working with special needs students, interacting with parents and operational issues relevant to a implementing a successful after-school arts program. Regular site visits also take place by the Director of Programs and occasionally by the Chief Operating Officer to monitor learning academies and after-school programs. OCCTAC's Administrative Staff provides ongoing feedback on effective teaching, academic support and mentoring strategies as well as class room management techniques to classroom teachers, teaching assistants and staff. 4. List the positions dedicated to this proposal. Include a description of duties and time allocation for each responsibility. Executive Director—Dr. Ana Jimenez-Hami is the Founder and Executive Director of OCCTAC. She earned a doctoral degree in the fields of Educational Psychology and Special Education with an emphasis on the language and literacy development of exceptional children. She is also a part-time faculty at Chapman University in the School of Education. During the past 20 years, Dr. Jimenez has prioritized on researching and implementing educational interventions that empower youth and the Latino community to succeed in the academic world, and reach for higher educational goals. Dr. Jimenez has been recognized continuously in the community for her contributions. She has received several community awards, including: the National Hispanic Business Women Association award for organizational entrepreneurship, a National award by the Heartspring Foundation for creativity in Special Education, a faculty award from Chapman University, a City of Santa Ana Community Building Award, and several others. WIB-Case Manager-Mercedes—(Meche) Avirad has worked at the Center for the past 8 -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. Time allocation for this program is 100%. 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 and is now a consultant for the center, advising on our academic programming. Rebecca is a former business owner, who returned to her vocation, educating children and youth in her community. She has a BCLAD Teaching Credential 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. Time allocation for this program is I%. 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. Time allocation for this program is part-time @37% -see budget narrative. 15 Exhibit A