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B. Describe how your program will conduct assessments for youth participants, elaborate on the type of assessment tools or surveys that will be used. During the initial recruitment and eligibility determination phase, all student participants will take a TABE assessment test to determine their basic skill level. C. Describe knowledge of the barriers that youth encounter. • Basic Skills Deficiency: Among the youth served by the Santa Ana Public Library, there are a number of barriers associated with poverty preventing the achievement of short and/or long term goals. The most common barrier as revealed by the TABE test is basic skills deficiency. A majority of students tested are performing at or below an equivalency of 8.9 grade level. These students often have difficulties in the completion of their education, are likely to fall behind in semester credits and in turn eventually drop out of high school. • Poor Work History: Students with poor work history are defined as at least 19 years of age and have never had a full-time job. As students continue to search for opportunities in a competitive job market, their limited education and work experience limit their opportunities. Many of the youth do not have reliable transportation to and from school or to the place of employment. As a result it causes an attendance and/or punctuality issue. Many do not have professional clothing readily available for employment interviews or professional events. These barriers are often setbacks for students. • High School Drop -Outs/ Lack of High School Diploma/GED: A significant number of youth in our community come from economically disadvantaged families. Low socio- economic status often leads to a number of impediments to student success such as educational underachievement, higher likelihood of dropping out of school, offender status, teen parenthood, and welfare dependency. Latino students comprise a majority of the student population in the Santa Ana Unified School District. Nearly seventy-two percent of these are reported as dropping out. Statistically, high school dropouts earn lower wages, are more likely to cormnit crimes, and are considered less healthy both physically and emotionally than students that graduate. Many jobs in the market require a high school diploma, so that youth who do not graduate contribute to increasing unemployment rates among youth, juvenile arrests, gang affiliation and births to teens, perpetuating the poverty cycle. • Lack of post -secondary education/ training: Many our students graduating high school do not enroll in post -secondary institutions and enter the workforce to assist their families financially. But with limited education, training, and/or experience it is difficult to find employment with sustainable earnings. As a result many youth become frustrated and resort to substance abuse for escape. Additionally, our students who do enroll in post- secondary education are often first generation students and have difficulties adjusting to the role of college student. Students are often unaware of the resources on campus available to assist them with the completion of their degree. Therefore, many students perform poorly and eventually drop out of college. D. Specify how your organization will address the barriers that youth encounter The "Seeds to Trees" program plans to recruit youth with barriers to employment, educational advancement, and a successful future. The Seeds to Trees program will supports students by providing resources, knowledge and/or informational tools to find personal connections for