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Employment Services

 

The Senior Community Service Employment Program began as part of the War on Poverty 40 years ago and was so successful that it became a national program under the Older Americans Act in 1973.  It is referred to by its acronym - SCSEP (pronounced See-sep) - and operates in nearly every county in the nation.  To participate in SCSEP, a person must be: 

 

  • Age 55 or older;
  • Legally eligible to work in the United States;
  • Living in a household with income no more than 125 percent of the federal poverty level.

 

By law, SCSEP gives special attention to those who are any of the following:

 

  • Age 65 years or older;
  • Have a disability;
  • Have limited English proficiency or low literacy skills;
  • Reside in a rural area;
  • Are a veteran;
  • Have low employment prospects;
  • Are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

 

SCSEP participants are paid minimum wage while they gain marketable job skills training in non-profit and public organizations, including senior centers, schools, and libraries.  The program provides a win-win for participants and their communities: Participants help community organizations extend their reach and capabilities, while developing their own job skills, self-confidence, and a restored sense of self-worth.

 

In Colorado, there are four agencies that operate the Senior Community Services Employment Program:

 

  1. Association of Aging and Retired Persons (AARP)
  2. SER (Service, Employment, Redevelopment) International
  3. Seniors' Resource Center
  4. Seniors! Inc.

 

SCSEP benefits participants by:

 

  • Providing job placement assistance, including job development and job search assistance
  • Providing supportive services
  • Providing paid employment training
  • Providing in-demand work experience
  • Providing added income
  • Building confidence and learning new skills

 

SCSEP benefits community service and government agencies by:

 

  • Providing older workers, who while training, expand agency's capacity to provide services
  • Providing agency opportunity to evaluate loyal workers in training for possible hire
  • Reducing "loss of productivity" due to reduced absenteeism from dependable older workers

 

SCSEP benefits employers by:

 

  • Providing dollars for training, saving employers hard cash
  • Providing a pool of experienced, dependable and qualified candidates for a variety of jobs
  • Accessing local agencies that know business's area and business needs

 

For more information about SCSEP, contact the US Department of Labor at:

 

http://www.doleta.gov/seniors

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