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2014-15 Orange County Children's Therapeutic Arts Center
<br />Youth Workforce Investment Act Proposal
<br />credentialed teachers/educators, case managers, artists, therapists, and counselors certified to provide
<br />services to youth with and without disabilities. There are 5 -Full-time staff and 45 -Part-time employees
<br />who are employed in various classes and programs at our agency. Currently, our WIA program has 1
<br />full-time case manager, 1 part-time case manager assistant, 1 part-time career and educational
<br />counselor, 1 part time literacy tutor, 1 part-time numeracy tutor, 1 part-time graphic arts/technology
<br />instructor, and 1 part-time music technology instructor. Furthermore, there are additional OCCTAC
<br />staff that support the WIA program and participants but are not paid by WIA funds.
<br />3. Past experience with WIA programs or other youth programs - OCCTAC has been serving Santa
<br />Ana youth since the year 2000. For the past 14 years, OCCTAC programs have served primarily at -risk
<br />youth, youth with disabilities and foster youth. Our variety of programs integrate youth with and
<br />without disabilities in a nurturing, community-based environment that teaches respect, cultural
<br />diversity, disability awareness and full inclusion. OCCTAC has had 9 years of experience with the WIA
<br />program! Every year our program grows and demonstrates success with our WIA participants!
<br />4. What kind of impact your agency has made on the youth community? - OCCTAC has had a
<br />tremendous impact on Santa Ana youth community. It is a catalyst for change and provides youth
<br />and their families access to innovative, artistic, educational, therapeutic and job training programs
<br />that transform and inspire youth to fulfill their highest potential in life. Through our innovative
<br />approach which combines the arts, education, health and technology programs, participants are
<br />motivated, engaged and involved in a variety of programs at our agency. Last year, our WIA
<br />participants attained employment/entered education at a rate of 95%, attained certificates/
<br />credentials at a rate of 82%, and attained Literacy and Numeracy gains a rate of 74%. These
<br />outcomes demonstrate the commitment and dedication of our wonderful WIA program staff.
<br />II. Proposed Program
<br />A. Provide an overview of the program's main objectives. The WIA program at OCCTAC is an
<br />extension of our current educational services provided to older youth (with and without disabilities);
<br />it empowers and educates youth, and provides life changing opportunities. OCCTAC has been
<br />working with WIA participants since 2005. The WIA program at OCCTAC provides all 10 WIA
<br />elements, including educational services, job training, paid work experience, adult mentoring, literacy
<br />and math tutoring, certificate programs, career & educational counseling, alternative secondary
<br />school services, support services, leadership opportunities, and follow-up services. The basic program
<br />takes place primarily at our community-based center in Santa Ana. Participants engage in a variety of
<br />educational and job training activities, including classroom and workshop instruction, paid work
<br />experience, tutoring, adult mentoring, career and educational counseling, life skills training, and other
<br />support services. WIA participants are required to meet individually with key staff, participate in daily
<br />and weekly educational trainings, and monthly workshops. Participants are also engaged in weekly
<br />"hands-on" work experience and job training opportunities at our agency and other community sites.
<br />Please see Tables 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 for more detailed information.
<br />Please see below Table 1 for an overview of the program timeline for the entire year. Table 2 (page
<br />5) describes the frequency of program activities & OCCTAC staff interaction. Tables 3 & 4 (pages 9 &
<br />10) describe the mentoring, job training programs and work experience opportunities at OCCTAC for
<br />WIA participants. Table 5 (page 11) describes the state certificate programs offered at OCCTAC in
<br />partnership with the Santa Ana College.
<br />EXHIBIT A
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