ORANGE COUNTY CHILDREN'S THERAPEUTIC ARTS CENTER 1

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OC Children's Therapeutic Arts Center 2013-14 Program Narrative & Job Search • Continue monthly life skills training • Continue monthly support group with other WIA participants and staff Indicate the number of youth that will be served: The WIA program at OCCTAC will serve a total of 25 WIA participants. The program will serve 20 out -of -school youth (ages 17-21) and 5 in -school youth (ages 16-21), for a total of 25 youth. We will prioritize on serving youth with disabilities, foster youth and high school drop -out students. Identify if the program will serve foster youth, youth with disabilities, and youth on probation? Yes, as stated above the WIA program at OCCTAC will serve foster youth (in and out -of -school), out of school youth with disabilities, and high-school dropouts, between the ages of 16 -21. B. Specify how the target groups will be recruited and describe your recruitment plan to fulfill the enrollment goals. WIA requires that 75% of youth be enrolled by the I" quarter of the program and 100% enrollment be reached by the 2nd quarter of the program. OCCTAC has excellent community partners that will help us fulfill our enrollment goals through referrals, as well as help us provide an excellent program for youth. Our key community partners include the following: 1) Santa Ana Work Center, 2) Santa Ana College, 3) SAUSD, TPP, 3) County of Orange, Social Services, and 4) SIATech (School for Integrated Academics and Technologies). Please see attachments for letters of our community partners. OCCTAC is responsible for providing most of the services. SAUSD TPP is responsible for referring youth with disabilities to OCCTAC. The County of Orange, Social Services is responsible for referring foster youth to OCCTAC. The Santa Ana College is responsible for providing instructors at OCCTAC for our 3 state certificate programs, and SIATech provides alternative secondary school services for our high school dropout students. Target group - Youth with Disabilities: OCCTAC has had a strong partnership with the Santa Ana Unified School District, Special Education, Transition Partnership Program (TPP) during the past 5 years to serve youth with disabilities exiting high school. (Please see letter ofsupport). In partnership with the SAUSD TPP program staff, we will ensure that our enrollment goals will be met by the first quarter. The Case manager will work closely with the TPP staff for referrals of youth with disabilities, and to make sure that our participants will be successful in attaining their goals. OCCTAC's strong partnership with the SAUSD Transitional Partnership Program will aid in the proper enrollment of those youth with disabilities, and to make sure that we meet our 75% youth enrollment benchmark by the first quarter. Target group — Foster Youth: This year we are excited to partner with the County of Orange, Social Services, Children and Families Services Division to serve more foster youth! (Please see letter of support). OCCTAC has been a partner with the County since 2007. We are looking forward to growing our partnership with the County, Social Services to continue to provide and expand work experience placements, vocational training, academic/employment services and mentoring to foster youth in Orange County. On February 2013, OCCTAC hosted an important strategic planning meeting with the County of Orange SSA staff (including the Deputy Director), the City of Santa Ana and Santa Ana Work Center staff to discuss our partnership and commitment to foster youth. This important meeting reassures OCCTAC's commitment to serve foster youth, and we are looking forward to together implement the recommendations discussed at this meeting, such as a planned Open House at OCCTAC and at the Santa Ana WORK Center during the month of April for youth in foster care. Target group — High School Dropout Youth: Last year we started a wonderful partnership with SIATech (School of Integrated Academics and Technologies). As a partner, SIATech provides high school dropout youth the opportunity to earn their diploma, attain industry -standard certifications and increase their literacy and numeracy abilities. The SIATech principal, Ronald Stagg, participates in community meetings and activities and supports OCCTAC in its endeavors whenever possible. A credentialed Special Education teacher is available to assess students and write IEP or 504 plans for students. The teacher also provides professional development to OCCTAC and other Santa Ana YSPN members in working with students who have special FXHIRIT A