The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) provides training and employment services to low-income job seekers age 55 and older to assist them in securing unsubsidized employment in the public and private sectors. Program participants earn while they learn, gaining competitive job skills and refining existing skills through paid, part-time, on-the-job training assignments at nonprofit organizations and government agencies. During training, participants earn minimum wage and provide valuable community services.
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Customers
SCSEP serves job seekers age 55 and older who are unemployed, eligible to work in the United States, and earn 125% or less than the federal poverty level annually.
The 2018 Income Eligibility Guidelines provide the following maximum annual income by family unit size:
| Number of People in Household | Maximum Yearly Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $15,175 |
| 2 | $20,575 |
| 3 | $25,975 |
| 4 | $31,375 |
| 5 | $36,775 |
| 6 | $42,175 |
| 7 | $47,575 |
| 8 | $52,975 |
| More than 8 | For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $5,400 for each additional person. |
Some income is excluded from income eligibility calculations. Eligibility is determined by the SCSEP organization(s) in the local area.
Enrollment priority is given to individuals age 65 and older or those who meet one of the following criteria:
- Have a disability
- Have limited English proficiency or low literacy skills
- Reside in a rural area
- Are veterans
- Have low employment prospects
- Have failed to find employment after receiving services under Title I of the Workforce Investment Act
- Are homeless or at risk of homelessness
SCSEP services include the following:
- Assessment and development of Individual Employment Plans
- Support services to enable participants to overcome barriers to employment
- Health screening
- Training on job search and job retention skills
- Additional basic skills training, such as English as a Second Language (ESL), 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
- Job readiness training and job search assistance
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has been designated by the governor to administer the state’s portion of the program, primarily in rural communities. TWC contracts with a national organization, AARP Foundation, to manage the day-to-day program operations in 88 counties. TWC provides oversight and technical assistance, manages statewide planning and coordination and the state’s grant application and performance reporting, coordinates with the US Department of Labor, and supports SCSEP outreach efforts.
The following five national organizations provide training and employment services to older Texans in the remaining Texas counties:
- AARP Foundation
- The Center for Workforce Inclusion
- Institute for Indian Development
- National Asian Pacific Center on Aging
- SER (Service, Employment and Redevelopment) - Jobs for Progress National, Inc.
SCSEP organizations collaborate with Texas’ 28 Workforce Development Boards (Boards) to provide additional training and employment services to participants. Boards oversee workforce services at Workforce Solutions offices throughout the state. Workforce Solutions services include the following:
- Orientation to workforce services
- Job counseling
- Employment referrals
- Referrals to educational or vocational training, and other referral services
- Labor market information
- Workshops on résumés and interviewing
- Computer classes
- Resource room resources, including computers, fax, telephone, and copy machines
SCSEP organizations also collaborate with Area Agencies on Aging and other community organizations to provide support services for older workers. There are 28 Area Agencies on Aging that help individuals age 60 and older, their families, and/or other caregivers locate the community services they need.
Reports
The SCSEP State Plan was developed by TWC in collaboration with the five national organizations operating SCSEP in Texas, the 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.
On March 20, 2015, DOL’s Employment and Training Administration reviewed and approved Texas’s Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) State Plan Two-year Modification for Title V of the Older Americans Act (OAA). The approved SCSEP modification is valid through June 30, 2016.
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 & Regulations:
Report Fraud
- Report suspected fraud, waste or program abuse
800-252-3642