Agenda Quick Overview of SCSEP Taskforce on the Aging of the American Workforce Collaboration and Promising Practices

Authorized by Title V of the Older Americans Act Mandated partner in the One-Stop delivery system Serves approximately 100,000 low-income seniors each year Ultimate Goals: –To foster individual self-sufficiency and promote useful opportunities in community service –To increase the number of individuals in unsubsidized employment What is the Senior Community Service Employment Program?

SCSEP Funding Total available PY 2007 Federal funds: –Approximately $438,600,000 –Approximately 61,000 positions –Each SCSEP position = $7,153 –Older Americans Act set-aside funds for Indian and Asian Pacific Islander non-profit organizations Distribution of Funds –ETA administers SCSEP at the federal level –78% of SCSEP funds awarded to National Grantees –22% of SCSEP funds awarded to State Grantees

74 National and State Grantees 18 National Grantees: AARP Foundation Asociación Nacional Pro Personas Mayores Easter Seals, Inc. Experience Works, Inc Goodwill Industries International, Inc. Institute for Indian Development, Inc. Mature Services, Inc. National Able Network National Asian Pacific Center on Aging National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, Inc. National Council on the Aging, Inc. National Indian Council on Aging National Urban League Quality Career Services, Inc Senior Service America, Inc. SER-Jobs for Progress National, Inc. The Workplace, Inc. Vermont Associates for Training and Development, Inc. 56 State and Territorial Governments: All 50 States District of Columbia Puerto Rico American Samoa Guam Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Virgin Islands

Who is eligible for SCSEP? 55+ years old Income less than 125% DHHS poverty guidelines Target populations: Age 65+ / Have Disability / Limited English Proficiency or Low Literacy Skills / Rural / Veterans / Low Employment Prospects / Homeless or At-Risk for Homelessness / Minority / Greatest Economic Need

Role of Host Agencies Public agency or private non-profit [501(c)(3)] Provide work site supervision, training, work-experience High quality host agency provides: –Valuable training / work experience –Better employment opportunities –Meaningful community service Participants usually work 20 hours a week and are paid the higher of the Federal, state, or local minimum wage. Typical host agency assignments: Clerical workerCashier CookReceptionist Nurse’s aideJanitor / housekeeper Home health care workerDay care assistant

Taskforce on the Aging of the American Workforce May 2006: ETA convened an interagency taskforce to focus on the aging of the American workforce and the impact of this demographic change. February 2008: The Taskforce released a report identifying barriers to the employment of older workers and strategies for addressing those challenges. March 14, 2008: Key Taskforce stakeholders reconvened to discuss next steps in the implementation of the recommendations.

Taskforce on the Aging of the American Workforce Barriers to the recruitment and retention of older workers include: Elements of the economy that create a difficult job market for older individuals The need to increase skills to keep pace with technological and organizational change Limited access to training to update their skills Lack of skills and confidence of some older workers to search for a new job Age discrimination in the workplace Health problems, disabilities, or physical limitations Limited opportunities for flexible work arrangements and customized employment Lack of knowledge on how to start one’s own business Poor knowledge about financial needs in retirement Elements of retirement laws and regulations that may discourage work participation

Taskforce on the Aging of the American Workforce Strategies for addressing those challenges include: A. Legal and Regulatory Issues B. Expanding Knowledge on Older Workers C. Outreach and Education Efforts D. Facilitating Self-Employment for Older Workers E. Flexible Work Arrangements and Customized Employment for Older Workers F. Tools and Technical Assistance to Support Older Worker Employment G. Retirement and Financial Literacy Education

Taskforce on the Aging of the American Workforce Next Steps for the Taskforce: During the meeting, leads and workgroup member agencies were identified for each of the seven strategy categories outlined in the Taskforce report. Lead agencies are responsible for: –Convening working group meetings –Facilitating the meetings and leading the group through the process of indentifying priorities, developing the strategies, identifying resources, developing a work plan, and beginning implementation of the strategies ETA is the lead agency for Outreach and Education Efforts and will convene its first workgroup meeting by mid-April Next Taskforce meeting in June

Outreach and Education Efforts National Employ Older Workers Week September 21-27, 2008 Develop a blueprint for awareness and outreach activities concerning older workers that provides public awareness, promotes employment opportunities, and encourages businesses to hire and retain older workers. Use existing resources to design, deliver, and coordinate education programs and materials for employers and workers concerning flexible retirement programs and explain how to design such programs under current law. Develop training materials to educate human resources (HR) professionals about how to best respond to an older workforce.

Coordination and Collaboration Between SCSEP and ADRCs Recognition of shared mission and vision –Independence –Self-sufficiency –Individual and family self-esteem Referrals Shared Technology

Partnerships Between ADRCs & SCSEP Grantees’ Experiences ADRC as host agency for SCSEP participant SCSEP participants hired as ADRC support staff Referral mechanisms Open lines of communication Cross training …

Partnerships Between ADRCs & SCSEP Suggestions for Improving and Enhancing Partnerships What would you like to see? What would be helpful? What can you share? … SCSEP Website: SCSEP Grantees: Local SCSEP Contacts: Questions specifically for me?

Thank You!