Senior Community Service Employment Program -- Program Information

Program Information

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) provides training and employment services to eligible low-income jobseekers age 55 and older to enable them to obtain unsubsidized employment. Program participants "earn while they learn," gaining competitive job skills and refining existing skills through paid, part-time, on-the-job training assignments at non-profit organizations and governmental entities. During their training, participants earn minimum wages while providing valuable community services.

SCSEP services include:

Assessment and development of Individual Employment Plans
Supportive services to enable participants to overcome barriers to employment
Health screening
Additional basic skills training, such as English as a second language, reading and math skills, and General Educational Development (GED) classes
Additional targeted occupational skills training such as keyboarding, computer skills, and home health aide skills
Training on job search and job retention skills
Job search assistance.

A directory of SCSEP Contact Information provides a searchable directory of local SCSEP contacts by county.

State office contacts:

Cameron Bell, (512) 936-6239
Beverly Donoghue, (512) 936-2146

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has been designated by the Texas Governor to administer the state's portion of the program, primarily in rural communities. TWC contracts with a national organization, Experience Works, to manage the day-to-day program operations in 88 counties. TWC provides oversight and technical assistance; manages statewide planning and coordination, the state's grant application and performance reporting, interfaces with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL); and supports SCSEP outreach efforts.

Five national organizations provide SCSEP training and employment services to older Texans in the remaining Texas counties. The organizations include:

Map of SCSEP Organizations (Grantees) in Texas. (PDF)

SCSEP organizations collaborate with Texas' 28 local workforce development boards (Boards) to provide additional training as well as employment services to participants. The Boards oversee workforce services at over 220 Workforce Solutions offices throughout the state. Workforce Solutions services include:

orientation to workforce services
job counseling
employment referrals
referrals to educational or vocational training, and other referral services
labor market information
workshops on résumés, interviewing, and other topics
computer classes
access to resource room equipment including computers, fax, telephone, and copy machines.

For more information on Workforce Solutions' job seeker services in a specific area, go to the local Workforce Development Board Web Site or locate your nearest Workforce Solutions office.

SCSEP organizations also collaborate with Area Agencies on Aging and other community organizations to provide supportive services for older workers. There are 28 Area Agencies on Aging that help individuals age 60+, their families, and other caregivers locate the community services they need.

SCSEP Eligibility

SCSEP serves job seekers age 55 and older who are unemployed, eligible to work in the U.S., and earn 125% or less than the Federal poverty level annually. The table below provides the maximum annual income allowable for SCSEP eligibility based on family size.

**2011 SCSEP Income Eligibility Guidelines**
Size of Family Unit	Maximum Annual Income
1	$13,613
2	$18,388
3	$23,163
4	$27,938
For each additional person, add:	$4,775

Some income is excluded from income eligibility calculations. Eligibility will be determined by the SCSEP organization(s) in your local area.

Enrollment priority is given to an individual age 65 and older or who:

has a disability
has limited English proficiency or low literacy skills
resides in a rural area
is a veteran
has low employment prospects
has failed to find employment after receiving services under Title I of the Workforce Investment Act, or
is homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Reports

SCSEP in Texas by the Numbers (PDF): Statewide SCSEP statistical highlights from Program Year 2009-2010
Texas Workforce Investment Council, Profiles in Success (PDF): February 2011 issue focusing on SCSEP
SCSEP State Plan for Program Year 2008-2011 (PDF): The SCSEP State Plan was developed by TWC in collaboration with the five national organizations operating SCSEP in Texas, Boards, and the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. In addition, invitations were distributed to over 500 stakeholders to provide comments on the plan. The plan includes the distribution of SCSEP positions in Texas, supporting employment opportunities for participants, increasing participants' unsubsidized employment and employer outreach, community service needs, coordination with other programs and entities, and improvement of SCSEP services.
COMING SOON! Annual SCSEP Statewide Report

Authority & Funding

SCSEP is authorized by the Older Americans Act (Title V), as amended by Public Law 109-365 on October 17, 2006. The U.S. Department of Labor oversees and funds SCSEP.

Statutes and Regulations

Tips and Guides

Job hunting resources for older job seekers and information for employers.

For Older Job Seekers

AARP's Job Search Resources and Websites for Older Workers: Helpful online resources for older job seekers
AARP's National Employer Team (PDF): List of employers in Texas on AARP's list of companies who are interested in hiring older workers.

For Job Seekers of All Ages

For Employers

The Business Case for Workers Age 50+ (PDF): This comprehensive study breaks new ground on why employers should view 50+ workers as valuable contributors to their workforce needs.
AARP's Workforce Assessment Tool: Online assessment resource for developing staffing strategies. Based on a company's workforce demographics, potential skill shortages, and current workplace practices, a range of action steps are provided for developing age-friendly policies and practices.

Helpful Links

The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging: Information about public hearings on senior issues, press releases, and Websites with information of interest to seniors.

Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services

Find Services: Index and description of agency services; searchable directory of Area Agencies on Aging by city, county, and zip code.
Area Agencies on Aging: 28 Area Agencies on Aging providing services to help individuals age 60+, their families, and/or other caregivers receive the information and assistance they need to find and access community services.

Sloan Center on Aging and Work: Research, reports, and forums promoting quality of employment for all ages in the workforce

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging, Elders and Families: Search resource for federal, national, and local programs benefiting seniors.