Awardees

Targeted Industries

County

Award Amount

San Diego

$300,000

Alameda

$300,000

Orange

$300,000

$900,000

Summary: Able-Disabled Advocacy, in partnership with San Diego Unified School District and Urban Corps, will conduct Pre-Vocational Training for 60 Older In-School and Out-of-School Youth with disabilities who are involved in the Juvenile Justice System. Of those served, 54 (90%) will achieve positive outcomes; 54 (90%) will receive training; 48 (80%) will be placed; and 31 (52%) will achieve Employability Enhancements. All will have the opportunity for customized soft-skills training, basic skills upgrading, work-based learning, career and educational advancement, mentoring and long-term support. Services will be delivered to meet individual need and include bilingual assistance, universal access, accommodations and self-paced learning. Occupations include business, healthcare, visitor services and construction.

Summary:  The Building Strong Futures Program will prepare 30 high-risk, low-income young women (ages 17 - 21) to enter the high wage/high growth field of construction. Participants will be emancipating foster youth, ex-offenders, young mothers, high school dropouts, or low-income. The intensive six-month program will include: paid onsite construction skills training; vocational education in community college courses; GED/Basic Skills Lab; case management and support services specifically designed for these high-risk women; and, mentoring and support from women already working in the field. Participants will receive job development and placement assistance and ongoing support after placement in a job or apprenticeship program.

Summary:  The CAREER ADVENTURE PROJECT will increase the number of foster/emancipated youth in Orange County who are prepared to enter career technical training, post-secondary educational programs and/or employment in high wage/high growth occupations. The CAREER ADVENTURE PROJECT will provide foster/emancipated youth between the ages of 16-21 with pre-vocational training related to Orange County's top 10 industry clusters within a context that connects focused guidance and support for the project participants to successfully improve their academic skills and attain the problem solving/thinking abilities necessary to enter local high wage/high growth career pathways. Industry clusters include Biomedical, Business & Professional Services, Communications, Computer Technology, Construction, Defense/Aerospace, Energy and Environment, Health Services and Tourism.