ORANGE COUNTY CONSERVATION CORPS 10 - 2011

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I. PROPOSAL NARRATIVE A. Executive Summary 1. Which WIA population will the program recruit and serve? For PY 2011-12, the Orange County Conservation Corps proposes to serve Out-of-School WIA eligible youth who are Santa Ana residents with the legal right to work; are low-income; a high school dropout; or, a high school graduate/GED recipient that is basic skills deficient, or is unemployed/underemployed. The OCCC will recruit and serve older Out-of-School youth primarily between the ages of 18-21; and not less than 10% of enrollments will be in the following categories: youth with disabilities or on probation or foster youth or emancipated youth. This population will most benefit from the Corps' program design that combines work and school in a structured, supervised, forty-two (42) hour work/school week. 2. Indicate how many participants will be served. For PY 2011-12, the Orange County Conservation Corps will serve 23 Santa Ana WIA eligible youth. 3. Describe how this program fits in with programs currently being offered by your agency. The Orange County Conservation Corp has incorporated a variety of best practices from various state and national models for youth and workforce development to serve this population. The Corps' basic program design has been in place since 1995; and has expanded and enhanced its WIA program services since the inception of WIA funding in 1998. The OCCC's program design provides comprehensive and coordinated activities to at-risk youth to meet and exceed planned expected outcomes in literacy and numeracy gains, attainment of a degree or certificate and placement in employment or post-secondary education. 4. Indicate which of the 10 WIA elements the program will offer. The Orange County Conservation Corps program design provides the following WIA elements: Tutoring, study skills training, and instruction leading to completion of secondary school, including drop-out strategies; Alternative secondary school services; Paid and unpaid work experience; Occupational skill training; Leadership development opportunities; Supportive services; Adult mentoring; Follow up services for a minimum of 12 months after completion; Referrals for comprehensive guidance and counseling (i.e. substance abuse, legal, medical, family) 5. Indicate planned outcomes. The Orange County Conservation Corps will meet or exceed established WIA outcomes as follows: Entered Employment or Post-secondary Education Rate-65%; Diploma/Certificate Rate- 61%; Literacy/Numeracy Rate-40% 6. Describe the basic program approach (workshop/classroom/in the community). In the community: the Corps has work projects; educational field trips; work related field trainings; participation in community events and youth oriented groups, meetings, and events. In the Classroom: Orange County Conservation Corps' charter school provides high school diploma instruction; vocational and occupational skills training; life skills, pre-employment skills, etc; specialized trainings (CPR/First Aid, Forklift, Chainsaw certification, etc.); safety demonstrations, leadership development, support services and educational topics (health, substance abuse, financial literacy, etc.); and instills the participants with a sense of community service and pride. 7. Disclose the total funding request. $218,000 B. Program Description 1. Indicate the number of youth that will be served and which WIA population will receive the services. Twenty-three (23) Out-of-School WIA eligible youth who are Santa Ana residents. 2. Indicate what the program will accomplish Exhibit A