SCSEP
Submitted by uladmin on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 14:05
Senior Community Service Employment Program
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is the nation's oldest program to provide training and employment opportunities to low-income Americans over age 55. It was authorized by Congress in Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965 to provide subsidized, part-time, community service work based training for low-income persons who have poor employment prospects.
SCSEP allows individuals to develop the skills and self-confidence needed to find private employment while earning a modest income. Participants remain productive and independent by contributing their talent and services to their communities in a variety of ways. Program participants work an average of 20 hours a week, and are placed in a wide variety of community service activities at non-profit facilities including: receptionists, customer service representatives, teachers' aids, and job developers, among others. It is intended that these community service experiences serve as a bridge to other employment positions that are not supported with Federal funds.
In 2008-2009 the program was offered in 16 counties in Central Kentucky. Funding for the program increased from expanded from $330,000 to over $1,000,000 in just 12 months. As of June 30, 2009:
- 191 seniors were providing community service within the 16 county area for a total of 91,940 hours
- 27 participants were placed in unsubsidized jobs with an average of $8.25 starting wage
- 69 of the participants were new enrollees
- 51 seniors had less than a high school diploma or GED
- 180 had a family income at or below the poverty level
- 68% of enrolled participants were between age 55 and 59; 9% were over age 75
- 56% were White and 42% Black