Senior Community Services Employment Program
Land-of-Sky Regional Council
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)—now Title V of the Older Americans Act—evolved from Operation Mainstream, a pilot established in 1965 under Title II of the Economic Opportunity Act. It was in 1978 that the Comprehensive Older Americans Act Amendments redesigned the SCSEP as Title V of the Older Americans Act. In 1978 the Land-of-Sky Regional Council began administering the program from the Migrant and Seasonal Farm workers. Additional OMA Title V Amendments were passed by Congress and signed into law in 2006.
Throughout its history, SCSEP has served some of the most disadvantaged
persons in our entire society, particularly those with poverty-level
incomes, limited educational attainment, limiting barriers, and
minorities. The US Department of Labor administers the funds of this
national project.
What is SCSEP?
SCSEP provides temporary work experience assignments for people age 55
and over whose incomes fall at or below the federal poverty line and are
currently unemployed. Participants are given temporary assignments with
nonprofit community organizations (called Host agencies), where they
have an opportunity to sharpen and develop skills while searching for a
permanent job. The goal of the program is for each participant to gain
skills necessary to find employment outside the program.
How does the program work?
Eligible applicants are placed in nonprofit, public, or community
service agencies where they receive on-the-job training for at least 20
hours per week. They are paid the current minimum wage. During their
temporary assignments with the host agencies, participants work with the
job developer and director of the project to locate permanent part-time
or full-time employment.
How does a person qualify for the program?
A person must be 55 years of age or older, have an income for the
previous 12 months that is at or below 125 percent of the poverty level,
be currently unemployed, and be a US citizen, legal resident, or
eligible to work in the United States in accordance with to the
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
What benefits do participants receive?
Participants benefit from SCSEP in many ways, such as getting help in
developing job search skills and locating a permanent job; getting paid
work experience to improve job skills and develop new ones; an
opportunity to establish a current work history and an up-to-date
résumé; paid holidays while at the Host agency assignment; a yearly
physical exam and various training opportunities.
If interested, whom should I call?
Jennifer Atkinson, Coordinator, SCSEP Title V, or Brenda DelaCruz, Job
Developer, SCSEP Title V, at (828) 251-6622.
What about the Host agencies?
Host agencies in the Land-of-Sky Regional Council four-county region
(Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties) have included
Councils on Aging, city Parks and Recreation departments, American Red
Cross, Affordable Housing, Habitat for Humanity, County Extension
office, Senior Centers, WNCAP, ABCCM, JobLink Career Center, and others.
What do the Host agencies provide?
Host agencies provide training and supervision for the participant. Once
a year, they will do an evaluation on the participant.
What do Host agencies receive for their efforts?
They get a temporary employee who will help them expand or enhance their
programs, and an opportunity to help train participants for the
workforce.
What does a non-profit or public agency have to do to become a Host
agency?
Complete a job description outlining the tasks they need help with, sign
a letter of commitment showing their interest, and provide a safe
working environment for the participant.
Among the important factors to ensure opportunities for older adult are
that older workers:
• are reliable, dependable, and punctual
• have a strong work ethic, and bring a wealth of experience to their
jobs
• are less likely to move from job to job, call in sick, or shirk
their responsibilities.
