Item 10 - Agreements with Orange County Therapeutic Arts Center, Working Wardrobes

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Youth Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Agreements July 1, 2025 Page 3 Participants will also receive access to industry-recognized certificates that enhance their employability. Certification opportunities include: Child Care Worker Certificate, Health Assistant/Aide Certificate, Customer Service and Administrative Office Support, and Digital Media and Technology Skills, including audio engineering, film production, and graphic design. All participants will receive individualized case management and wraparound support services to address personal and educational barriers. Working Wardrobes, established in 1990, brings over 30 years of experience providing workforce development services to youth and adults overcoming major life barriers, including justice involvement, homelessness, foster care, and economic hardship. The organization has a strong track record serving vulnerable youth populations and delivering federally funded employment programs. For this contract, Working Wardrobes will implement its "Rebuilding Careers Program for Young Adults," which provides a full- service model that includes: • A dedicated Career Navigator offering individualized case management and career coaching. • A structured, paid five-part workforce readiness workshop series. • Up to 90 hours of paid work experience at community employers or internal social enterprise locations. • Access to WIOA-approved training programs in sectors such as construction, logistics, culinary arts, and information technology. • Personalized mentoring and career exploration including job shadowing and mock interviews. • Supportive services such as transportation assistance, background check fees, and professional attire. • Twelve months of follow-up and career coaching after program completion to ensure job retention and long-term success. StandUp for Kids Orange County, founded in 2003, has over 21 years of experience exclusively serving homeless and at-risk youth ages 12-24 throughout Orange County. In 2024 alone, they served 1,784 youth across 28 cities, with 31% of those youth residing in Santa Ana. For this contract, they will enroll 20 out-of-school youth between the ages of 16-24. Their expertise lies in addressing the needs of highly vulnerable populations through a trauma-informed, mentorsh i p-d riven model. For this contract, StandUp for Kids Orange County will implement its "Journey to Self-Sufficiency" and "Work Activation Readiness Program," which combine employment training with holistic support: • Participants move through five stages focusing on basic needs, employment readiness, job retention, financial literacy, and personal development. • Youth receive paid internships or stipends for occupational training in industries such as Cybersecurity, Armed/Unarmed Security, Culinary Arts, and Healthcare.