Santa Ana Unified School District/ Career Development/ ROP

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ELEMEl'I'T #6: Provision of a support plan that affords participants with leadership development activities as an integral part of their total program experience. This element is primarily addressed during the weekly meetings at each high school campus. This program is designed to be a skills-building youth development program that prepares youth to make wise decisions, set goals and gain a sense of self-worth. It is designed to be a very integrated, interactive program that raises awareness about how one's decisions and values have short and long- term consequences and how they influence one's health and well-being. "Smart Choices" is based on youth development programs that have been documented to reduce teen pregnancy, violence and risky behavior. This program has successfully equipped youth with skills that help them make positive life choices. This adapted program will also incorporate elements of another program entitled the "Gift of Giving" which focuses on service to others. The development of such an attitude belongs in this element and in fact, this activity not only supports two of the Success Bound! program's elements (leadership & guidance/counseling) but it also reinforces the whole concept of "customer service." This is a key element of career development and ROP courses that participants will be taking. It is well know that most teens and young adults lose their employment over non-skill related issues (the "soft skills") such as work place attitudes, attendance, customer relations, etc. The adapted "Smart Choices" program has been designed to be offered in small groups and for a varying length of time to accommodate the career pathway orientation of the program and student availability. It is anticipated that each Success Bound! participant will be involved in this activity for approximately ten to twelve sessions. In addition, it is anticipated that one or more may be provided in conjunction with the Career Beginnings of Orange County's Mentor Night program that is described later in this proposal. ELEMEl'I'T #7: Provision of a support plan that affords participants with appropriate supportive services when needed to facilitate their successful completion of the program. A key component of the Success Bound! program will be the degree of support provided to each participant. Transportation to ROP training classes and work sites will probably be the most common example of support services. However. via the ROP's Community Advisory Committee and the Assistance League of Santa Ana, participants will have access to appropriate work site clothing when needed. The resources of the District's Teen Parent program will be brought to bear should a participant have to address such issues as childcare, parenting, etc. The collaborator for the program, Career Beginnings of Orange County will also assist in provision of services regarding this program standard. The adult mentors from the CBOC program have historically not only assisted their men tees with such expected items as career and academic counseling, recreational activities, etc., but they have help with such things as providing appropriate clothing for interviews. transportation, accompanying their mentee on job or college interviews, etc. While not directly a support service, the focus of this program is to actively engage the srodents to participate in community service. Program activities focus on several important social and community related concepts and it is felt that this element of the program will be of value to the participants from not only a supportive service point of view but from one ofleadership.