96-069 - Grant Award Agreement for the Santa Ana Community Action Network Program

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179 The Youth Programs offered by the Library include reading incentive activities designed to increase reading achievement, crafts and cultural experiences that reinforce reading skills, early reading programs for pre-schoolers and their parents, and tutoring, homework assistance, and study skills development. These programs have been shown to increase the level of student and parent interaction in reading activities, and high rate of students returning to use the library at higher levels of competency. Prior to the grant project, the Library had encountered the same problems as the Recreation and Community Services Agency programs had; that is the lack of direct outreach to and participation by residents in the target area. The Main Library is located several blocks outside the target area boundaries. The other two branch libraries are a greater distance from the target area and are inaccessible due to the lack of transportation. During the grant project, the Library stationed its Bookmobile at Flower Street Park. Although this had been done in the past, there was usually a very Iow turn-out of residents utilizing the service. After the initiation of the Reading Readiness, the Bookmobile usage increased significantly, with high and low periods coinciding with project activities. It has become evident that there is a positive correlation between program participation and a high level of outreach by project staff. This tends to place an extra burden on staff because they are required to spend many hours making followmp phone calls and home visits, however, it is hoped that throughout the next two years, the residents will begin to establish and exhibit greater self-motivation. SANTA ANA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT The Santa Ana Unified School District offers a wide range of programs in addition to its regular academic program. Among these are drop out prevention programs, peer assistance leagues, student success teams, tutoring programs, and many others. The program identified as being relevant to the target area is the Willard Intermediate School tutoring program. The Willard tutoring program includes computer and non-computer assisted activities that enable students to complete homework and required special projects. The program is offered · before and after school and is conducted by regular school teachers who are knowledgeable in the current academic program. Class texts and materials that relate to specific classroom assignments are available for use by students. Groups of 30 students are targeted for three week sessions. Home contacts are made to ensure attendance and to gain parent support. This program is generally utilized by students who have some degree of success in school because they are completing regular homework assignments. Prior to the grant project there was a gap in the services due to the lack of direct outreach to and use of the program by at risk students, especially those from the target area. Also lacking was a structured program for addressing the needs of students who are preparing to make the transition to high school. The grant project enabled students at risk of failing to utilize the tutoring services as well as to learn what will be expected of them when they transfer on to high. The project also