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(9) CITY OF SANTA ANA
<br /> Three of the five stages above address employment and job retention including Employment Readiness,
<br /> Employment Retention and Financial Awareness. The case manager monitors the youth's progress
<br /> towards their specific educational and vocational goals. The Employment Navigator and the mentor guide
<br /> the youth through the job skills and leadership training. They provide the youth with resources, guidance,
<br /> and linkage to community supports, including work experience, occupational training and educational
<br /> resources (i.e. GED or post-secondary school enrollment). Internships and occupational training target
<br /> transition age youth with little to no prior work experience. The Employment Readiness stage of.ITS,
<br /> ensures each youth is thoroughly prepared for the work experience that best meets the youth's experience
<br /> and employment goals. The internship teaches basic skills they will need to be successful in the workforce
<br /> and provides experience to help refine their educational and vocational goals. SUFK OC internships cover
<br /> a variety of interests,including Administration, Culinary Arts, and Property Management. SUFK OC
<br /> sponsored internships are 10 weeks long with a maximum of 15 hours a week. Youth receive wages, with
<br /> a maximum of$20/hour.Alternatively, youth may choose to receive a stipend to participate in an
<br /> occupational training program,becoming certified as either an Armed Guard, Security Guard, or Cyber
<br /> Security Specialist. In all cases,the preparation and guidance provided by the SUFK OC Work Activation
<br /> Readiness programs, assists youth in making a successful transition to regular employment,
<br /> apprenticeship,trade placement, or post-secondary education.. In addition,youth have access to jobs and
<br /> training opportunities available through CalJOBS.
<br /> The SUFK OC mentoring programs include measurable benchmarks that direct each youth through the
<br /> necessary steps toward independent living. Our mentors serve as a guide, and provide each youth a stable,
<br /> healthy,trusting, adult relationship. In addition,they help the youth establish personal goals, overcome
<br /> obstacles,identify and build on their strengths and obtain the self-confidence needed to maintain a
<br /> productive life. We believe that the key to our success is the relationship developed between the youth and
<br /> their adult mentor.The mentor provides the youth direction, support, encouragement, and accountability
<br /> while the youth develops a sense of competence,usefulness,belonging, and empowerment. Over the past
<br /> 21 years,the JTS curriculum and mentor model,has proven successful in helping thousands of at-risk OC
<br /> youth gain independence.Notably,the JTS curriculum and mentor model is being adopted county-wide
<br /> for use with transition-aged youth(TAY) (16-24 years old) experiencing homelessness.
<br /> The Case Manager monitors youth progress throughout the mentoring program,using both benchmarks
<br /> and milestones. Benchmarks are built into the JTS program,marking completion of key stages and
<br /> activities,for example, completing a life skills course,preparing a resume or conducting a job interview.
<br /> Milestones are personal goals set by the youth such as obtaining a driver's license,drug rehabilitation,
<br /> family reunification or college entrance. Both benchmarks and milestones are critical to maintain
<br /> accountability and build youth confidence throughout the program. We also measure internal assets(self-
<br /> esteem, social connections, etc.)through a survey taken during intake and repeated after 6 months, using
<br /> the Youth Asset Survey,which is widely used across the U.S. and known for high reliability.
<br /> 3. Population
<br /> The total number of youth that will be served by this grant is 20 (plus additional youth during Street
<br /> Outreach and Screening).Youth will range from age 16-24. Youth considered for intake to the Santa Ana
<br /> program will be screened for specific qualifications including,resident of Santa Ana, age 16-24, authorized
<br /> to work in the U.S., Compliance with Selective Service Act(males 18+), and Out-of-School as defined by
<br /> WIOA. Since 2003, StandUp for Kids OC, has a mission to end the cycle of youth homelessness, one
<br /> youth at a time. We specifically target homeless,runaway, foster,justice involved, and other at-risk
<br /> youth. SUFK OC programs described above were designed to serve at-risk youth populations.
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