ORANGEWOOD CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION - 2009

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Through the OCF Community Programs last year we served approximately 9,100 duplicated children and their families at 14 Family Resource Centers in Orange County per year. The Time Out for Parents program provided respite care or short-term care for approximately 328 children to give foster parents or biological parents a break to prevent the foster parent from burning out or the biological parent from. potentially being separated from their children. due to abuse or neglect. T'he Independent Living Coaches (ILC) provided case management to approximately 244 last year. In their interactions with their clients they often engaged foster parents, social workers, relative caregivers, biological parents, group home staff and employers for client success. ILCs also engaged. youth after hours and on weekends. Potential employers are often integrated through the Independent :Living :Program (ILP) as we invited them. to present at workshops (workshops take place during the evenings and on weekends to make it easier for client participation), participate at Independent City, and post job opportunities in the Orangewood Resource Center (ORC). OCF staff also participated in many community meetings such as the monthly Orange County Mentoring Partnership meetings, DOVIA Volunteer Management Organization meetings, Children's Services Coordination Committee (CSCC), CSCC F,mancipation Subcommittee, Foster Youth Services Task Force, Volunteer Coordinator Rotuidtable, Vital Link meetings, social worker and foster parent trainings, Family to Family meetings, Educational Summit, TAY Conference, Statewide ILP Breakthrough Series Collaborative, etc. When needed, the Foster Youth Liaison Project peer mentors will engage parents (if available), foster parents, relative caregivers, group home staff, social workers and employers to help the participants. Peer mentors will also engage and empower the participants by meeting with them regularly, assessing needs and helping them focus on individual tasks for program success. 3. Describe how staff will receive training and ongoing staff development to increase staff capacity and expertise in the field of youth development and employment. In partnership with. the Santa Ana WIB, OCF provided services to l2 foster youth. in Program Year 2006/2007, 19 foster youth dtu ing Program Year 2007/2008, and 15 foster youth during Program Year 2008/2009 (still in progress) through The Foster Youth Liaison Project. The peer mentors involved with this program receive valuable training on participant enrollment and exit procedures, client assessment, `I'ABE testing, case recording, case management strategies and community resources including services at the Santa Ana WORK Center. The peer mentors also participate in six trainings and one weekend retreat per year which focus on topics such as: • Program. Values • Public Speaking • Effective Listening c4c • Resources for Youth Communication Skills • Assertiveness • Boundaries • Working with Adolescents • Problem Solving & Conflict • I.,eadership Resolution Counter-Transference • Dealing with Emotions • Identifying & Dealing with • Group Facilitation Feelings • Team Building • Empathy OCF/Foster Youth Liaison Project 15