Long–term strategy for serving minority individuals

The long–term strategy remains the same: to continue to help all those who qualify for SCSEP services. During state fiscal year 2015, SCSEP served 178 older Alaskans who worked in service to the general community and 133 participants who worked in service to the elderly community. The program served an unduplicated 296 clients. Fifty–nine percent of participants were female, and forty–one percent were male. Eighty–two percent of clients were under age 65, and 18 percent were age 65 and older. Forty–four percent of participants identified their race as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, Black, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, or mixed race. Nine percent of participants had less education than a high school diploma or equivalent, while forty–six percent had a high school diploma or equivalent, and 46 percent had some postsecondary education, including 14 percent with a bachelor’s degree or advanced college degree. Eighty–four percent of the participants had a family income at or below the poverty level. Thirty–eight percent were individuals with documented disabilities. Fifty–eight percent were individuals with poor employment history or prospects. Thirty–five percent were homeless, two percent were displaced homemakers, and 20 percent were veterans or spouses of veterans.