SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
(TITLE V OF THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT)
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), also referred to as the Title V Program, is designed to provide and promote useful training opportunities in community service employment for older workers, and assists in the transition of program enrollees to private or other unsubsidized job placements. The program provides a variety of supportive services such as an annual physical examination, personal and job-related counseling, transportation, job training, and job referral.
Participant Eligibility
SCSEP participants must be at least 55 years of age, have an income that does not exceed 125% of the poverty level, and be residents of Los Angeles County.
How the Program Works
Since 1976, SCSEP funds have been allocated to State Units on Aging to be administered for the Title V Employment Services. The California Department of Aging (CDA) is the State Unit on Aging which administers the SCSEP in California. Funds for the program are appropriated by the United States Congress through the Department of Labor (DOL).
Aside from State Units on Aging, Title V Projects are also sponsored by national contractor organizations. Presently, the six (6) national contractors operating in California include:
American Association of Retired Persons
National Association of Hispanic Elderly
Green Thumb, Inc.
National Council of Senior Citizens
National Pacific/Asian Resource Center on Aging
United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
The CDA directly funds and administers 20 SCSEP projects administered by Area Agencies on Aging. The projects are responsible for recruiting and placing SCSEP enrollees in training jobs in public or nonprofit community service agencies including, but not limited to: social services, health, welfare, education, legal services, and other senior citizen services.
Title V enrollees may work a maximum of 1,300 hours per year and average 20-25 hours per week.
Legal Authority
Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965 as amended, and Public Law 89-73, dated March 2, 1985, is the legal authority.
Administering Agencies
Office of National Programs, Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Department of Labor (DOL)
Funding Cycle
Funding cycle for the SCSEP is July 1 to June 30. The annual proposal to the California Department of Aging (CDA) is submitted by the Los Angeles County Community and Senior Services Department.