title: Title V of the Older Americans Act, the Senior Community Service Employment Program: participant demographics and service to racially/ethnically diverse populations.
abstract: Title V of the Older Americans Act, the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), is a 40+-year-old federal program providing subsidized community service and employment training to low-income, unemployed individuals aged 55 and older. It is the only nationally mandated workforce training program for seniors. Because of SCSEP's dual mission, participants added 48 million hours of community service (valued at almost $1 billion) to the U.S. economy in 2008. Almost half (48.9%) of the participants are racial or ethnic minorities, which makes it crucial to understand the program experience of these individuals. Participation, program duration, and employment placement of minorities are examined. Findings show successful enrollment rates, an interactive effect of age and education on program duration, and no indication of a minority disadvantage in employment placement. Recommendations include funding for innovative grants, leveraging of federal partnerships, and targeted technical assistance.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, DC, USA. michelle.washko@aoa.hhs.gov
authors.forename: Michelle M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Washko
authors.forename: Ronald W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Schack
authors.forename: Barry A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Goff
authors.forename: Bennett
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pudlin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006078:Government Programs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D014481:United States