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9 <br />provide hands-on exposure and career exploration, as well as Community Action Partnership <br />(CAPOC) for potential placements in their weatherization program. In addition, OCAPICA <br />continues to work with groups like The Energy Coalition and The Gas Company to strategize <br />for additional career training and placement opportunities. <br />VIIL TUTORING/MENTORING/SUPPORT <br />A. In addition to staff, OCAPICA recruits college -level tutors from CSUF and other area <br />colleges to provide one-on-one and small group assistance to program participants to aid in <br />both their classes and to build their literacy/numeracy skills. Should a participant need <br />additional assistance, tutoring services are available through Supportive Services. <br />B. Mentors support participants in the academic realm and beyond, helping them balance their <br />workload, manage stress, and also provide moral support to the students. They also aid <br />participants in creating a plan of action for the semester and/or their future and meet with <br />them to make sure they are on track to reach their goals. Mentors provide personal insight <br />into the educational experience and are more likely to help facilitate workshops. In addition <br />to the general support provided by the program, students are also given individual attention <br />though periodic one-on-one meetings with the program staff and/or volunteer mentors. <br />Meetings are strategically scheduled throughout the year to monitor and problem solve with <br />the participant as an aid to help herihim reach their academic, health, and personal goal(s). <br />Mentors are recruited from CSUF's Asian American 230 Service Learning Class, college <br />student organizations, CSUF Asian American Studies Department, CSUF Department of <br />Public Health, local Chamber of Commerce, and from the community at large. Mentors <br />undergo a rigorous training and background check prior engaging with the youth and <br />maintain a supportive relationship with the youth throughout the calendar year. <br />C. Mental health services became crucial for many youth, especially those who were homeless <br />or living in unsafe, unstable situations. In coordination with OCAPICA's mental health unit, <br />WIA program staff started to provide additional support through mental health case <br />management, individual therapy, support groups, wellness workshops, pregnant and <br />parenting support, and access to supportive services. OCAPICA utilized a coordinated <br />approach in which all youth and their families are screened and assessed at the point of entry. <br />This allows individuals to participate in and receive services from all available programs at <br />OCAPICA. Regular communication is maintained between WIA program staff and <br />OCAPICA's mental health clinicians for consultation and program design. Staff members <br />from the different programs have integrated team meetings to discuss program <br />design/delivery and jointly develop service plans for co -enrolled participants. Staff, <br />resources, and curriculum complement each specific program, and resources are shared <br />where appropriate. In fact, OCAPICA has been able to leverage funding through the Mental <br />Health Services Act to be able to support a new part-time staff member to integrate mental <br />health and wellness services into the WIA Youth Program. Through this arrangement, more <br />EXHIBIT A <br />