Senior Community Service Employment Program

SCSEP state grantees are co–located with the Area Agencies on Aging and the Regional Planning and Development Commissions/Councils of Governments (COGs). The AAAs and Regional Commissions/COG’s have networks of partners, stakeholders, sub–grantees and member governments which are ideal locations for training and employment. A traditional partnership is reflected in the United Way Agencies that have been a major source of both training and employment. New and emerging partners are the community foundations which are assuming a regional character that approximate the regional service areas of AAAs and Regional Commissions/COG’s. The community foundations are creating networks of partnerships which they fund; that overlap the SCSEP, AAA, Regional Commission and COG partnerships and have the potential of being a source for training and employment. SCSEP is a part of an emerging trend of regionalism and networking that has become the new template for both public and nonprofit agencies.

The purpose of SCSEP is to provide training opportunities for older individuals who want to re–enter the workforce. Gaining additional or enhanced job skills improves their employability. Job training is provided by host agencies that are either 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organizations or government agencies. SCSEP provides valuable training opportunities while increasing the capacity of these host agencies to fulfill their missions.

The mission and goals of SCSEP and its many host agencies overlap the mission and outreach of other OAA funded activities and programs. For example, one of the primary missions of OAA funded entities is to be the single–point–of–entry (or “no wrong door”) for older or disabled consumers. Frequently, consumers have needs that can only be met monetarily. The network of host agencies working with SCSEP enhances the capacity of the aging network to meet these needs and make good referrals to host agencies that may provide direct or indirect financial assistance. In addition, the consumer may see employment as an option to meet income needs.

Many OAA activities are coordinated under the Aging & Disability Resource Center, (ADRC) including training, cross–training, and outreach. The following actions will be taken to enhance the partnership between OAA (AoA, CMS) funded programs, host agencies, and other community partners:

Goal: To coordinate SCSEP activities with the activities of other OAA funded programs

Objective 1: ADSS will take the lead to encourage intra–agency cross–training that will increase staff members’ knowledge of all OAA funded programs and activities, thereby increasing the coordination of services and activities.

Objective 1.1: ADSS will develop training materials for each OAA funded program.

Objective 1.2: ADSS will provide cross–training opportunities and also develop testing to gauge the success of cross–training. Training may be in the form of webinars, seminars, joint–program meetings, etc. Testing may be web–based, multiple choice, standardized, or other forms.

Objective 1.3: ADSS will implement team meetings as needed, where Project Directors, Program Managers, Program Coordinators, and other staff can discuss planned activities, program needs, and client needs.

By facilitating communication among programs and program coordinators, ADSS will ensure that activities get the maximum “bang for the buck.” For example, if the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is planning an outreach, then SCSEP can participate in this outreach or, at the very least, provide intake forms or materials for distribution to its target population. Another example: if SCSEP is planning a job fair and wants assistance with publicity, the nutrition program can include a flier to the senior center managers or include an article in the monthly nutrition newsletter.

Objective 2: ADSS will take the lead to encourage inter–agency cross training among its major partners.

All grantees will continue to develop partnerships and collaborate with other public and private entities that bring quality and valuable resources to the table, for the benefit of the participants. We have working relationships with faith–based organizations in the community serving low–income individuals who need supportive services, including training and employment. As we learn of other agencies that benefit our participants, we will engage with them to establish partnerships that advance each of our missions.