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The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) helps advance the economic self-sufficiency of participants and promotes useful opportunities for community service activities. However, the program is not immune to the hardships imposed by the current economic times. Recent changes will foster better coordination between SCSEP and Administration on Aging's other senior-serving programs, strengthening SCSEP's focus on improving the comprehensive well-being of seniors, and achieving administrative efficiencies within SCSEP and existing AoA programs. In addition, the changes will allow us to serve more Ohioans with limited resources.
Created in 1965, SCSEP is the nation's oldest and largest federally funded program, providing low income adults age 55 and older with employment and training assistance. Authorized by the Older Americans Act and funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, SCSEP matches eligible individuals with part-time jobs in community service organizations. Participants train in non-profit host agencies for up to 20 hours per week and are paid at least state or federal minimum wage.
While building their skills and self-confidence, participants also receive job training, job-related counseling and compensation. For most, SCSEP experience leads to permanent employment. This year, SCSEP helped 120,000 participants across the nation find work in part-time, subsidized positions, contributing more than 74 million hours of community services to non-profit agencies such as schools, libraries, Meals on Wheels, the American Red Cross and other social services organizations.
In the 2012 Federal Budget, SCSEP funding was decreased by 45 percent from the 2010 enacted level. To create savings, improve program operations and eliminate redundancies, the federal budget also transfers SCSEP from the U.S. Department of Labor to the Administration on Aging (AoA) in the Department of Health and Human Services. With these other programs, SCSEP could better support not only employment, but also health, wellness and independence for seniors. Because of its expertise in senior issues, AoA also is well-positioned to provide strong support and technical assistance to SCSEP grantees.
In addition, the 2006 amendments to Title V of the Older Americans Act (OAA) imposed limits on how long a SCSEP participant can remain in the program:
Under the 48-month lifetime durational limit, SCSEP participants are only eligible to receive SCSEP services for a total of 48 months in their lifetime, after which they must leave the program. The clock for this measurement started on July 1, 2007, for all participants. Any prior time in the program does not count toward the limit. This limit applies to any and all enrollments in SCSEP, whether or not consecutive. The earliest date at which a participant can reach the 48-month limit is July 1, 2011.
SCSEP is available in all 88 Ohio counties. The Department of Aging partners with leaders in employment and training in each county to administer the program. To qualify for SCSEP, participants must be 55 or older, residents of Ohio and income-eligible. If consumers do not meet the eligibility guidelines for SCSEP, job training and job search assistance still may be available through their community One-Stop office and local area agencies on aging.
Aging Connection, published regularly by the Ohio Department of Aging, connects professionals in Ohio’s aging network to information and resources that can help them care for and serve our older citizens. Topics include the latest resources and best pactices within the aging network, state and federal programs and benefits, pending and recent policy and legislation that may impact older Ohioans, the latest research in gerontology and aging issues and more.
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