DIALOGUE A Quarterly Publication of the Regional Center of Orange County VOLUME 37 NO. 2 • SPRING 2023
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Jeffrey Vargas and Alex Mateo SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE LIVES OF ALL PEOPLE, including children and adults with developmental disabilities. These activities enable the development of social skills and personal relationships that foster a sense of community and provide enjoyment to daily life. In the Spotlight are two persons Regional Center of Orange County serves who have thrived through their participation in social and recreational activities at the OC Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center (OCCTAC), a Santa Ana-based non-profit organization that has served individuals with and without disabilities, in fully-inclusive settings, for more than 23 years. OCCTAC works to meet a broad range of family needs that extends well beyond the arts. Beginning with just 100 students in music, art, dance and early childhood programs, OCCTAC now serves more than 7,000 individuals who represent the full age and income range and come from as far away as Los Angeles and Long Beach. Through partnerships, grants and collaborations with the City of Santa Ana, County of Orange, Santa Ana Unified School District, RCOC and others, OCCTAC works to meet a broad array of family needs that extends well beyond the arts to encompass mental health counseling for youth and families, student tutoring, work development for young adults, programs for seniors, family mentoring and assistance coordinating social service supports for the entire family.
Jeffrey Vargas shares art he created at OCCTAC Jeffrey Vargas Jeffrey, a 30-year-old who has cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability, has attended OCCTAC piano, art, dance and drum classes since June 2022 and loves being there. In fact, his mother, Esperanza Vargas, said she noticed positive changes in him within a week of his first class.
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