ORANGE COUNTY CHILDREN'S THERAPEUTIC ARTS CENTER 1

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OC Children's Therapeutic Arts Center 2013-14 Program Narrative MECCA and the Coalition of Orange County Health Center's, OCCTAC will have plenty of work experience opportunities for WIA participants! D. What types of employment services will be provided to youth after exit that will assist youth with employment retention, overcome transportation issues, and become self-sufficient? Youth will continue to receive the same services they were getting during the first phase of the program. In particular, during the months of July -September, the Case Manager will meet with the youth at least once a month in order to monitor progress with job search, if goal is not attained by exit, as well as job retention. Workshops as well as incentives will be provided to the youth as it is sought tit so they continue to develop skills and be successful with employment attainment/retention. Also, the OCCTAC staff will provide 12-month follow-up services for "exited" participants. OCCTAC is committed to empowering transitional age youth with and without disabilities to reach their highest potential in life. WIA participants that exit the program will be encouraged to continue to participate in monthly Life Skills Training, monthly Support groups, individual counseling, as well as well as any other support services they may be in need of. OCCTAC staff will be available to support participants, whenever needed. In summary, the case manager and career counselor will communicate monthly with the youth during the follow-up phase of the program. Youth will continue to receive employment assistance (such as resume updating, interviewing skills, etc.), academic support, mentoring, and incentives for goal attainment. Follow-up services will include: a) providing job placement and referrals, b) job retention assistance, c) communicating with employers of WIA graduates to ensure success, and d) work with Santa Ana Work Center and other business to help youth find jobs within the community. X. Post -Secondary Education A. What types of services will be provided to help youth enter post -secondary education such as college, apprenticeships, vocational training, etc.? What is the program plan to assist youth in entering post- secondary education? The WIA case manager and career counselor meets regularly with each WIA youth to discuss job leads, employment opportunities and post -secondary education. The case manager helps youth with employment and the career counselor helps youth with entering post -secondary education. As mentioned previously, OCCTAC has a strong partnership with the Santa Ana College, as well as other local universities, such as, Cal State Fullerton, Chapman University and University of California, Irvine. B. Will the program expose youth to various post -secondary educational institutions (colleges, universities, vocational training schools, apprenticeships, etc.)? Yes, all year round the WIA youth attend field trips to the various colleges and universities so they can get motivated and encouraged to enroll in any of these institutions with the help of the case manager and the career/educational counselor at OCCTAC. XI. Common Measures: A. Improve Literacy/Numeracy Skills (40%) 1. How will your program ensure that youth who are basic skills deficient will improve their literacy/numeracy skills? What will the steps/schedule/timeline be to accomplish this goal? OCCTAC has demonstrated commitment in helping WIA youth with and without disabilities improve their literacy and numeracy skills as evidenced in last year's outcomes (90%)! In summary, our WIA Literacy and Numeracy tutors will meet with each participant at least once a week upon the completion of the initial TABE assessment. Our agency's goal is that each youth increases by at least two Educational Functional Levels at time of post- test. By providing effective and individualized tutoring sessions we can ensure that our youth are able to increase their basic skills. In the past, OCCTAC has been very successful in the attainment of these goals and thus is committed in continuing to assist participants with and without disabilities. As stated above, OCCTAC has demonstrated commitment in helping WIA youth with and without disabilities improve their literacy and numeracy skills as evidenced in last year's outcomes (90%)! Please see prior outcomes section XII that EXHIBIT A 14