This month, we are highlighting the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) at Indiana’s WorkOne Centers. This national program is designed to build community engagement and service, as well as help seniors with employment. Low-income Indiana residents (those whose family income is no more than 125% of the federal poverty level) or unemployed individuals who are 55 years of age or older can participate in the program.
SCSEP prioritizes services for individuals who are experiencing barriers to employment. Those can include:
- being a veteran or spouse of a veteran,
- being 65 years of age or older,
- having a disability,
- having limited English proficiency,
- having low literary skills,
- having low employment prospects,
- failing to find employment after using services provided under Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA),
- residing in a rural area,
- experiencing homeless, or
- being at risk of homelessness.
Individuals can participate in SCSEP for up to 48 months during their lifetime.
A program for finding work and helping the greater community
Eligible SCSEP program participants receive work experiences at public or non-profit agencies in their local communities. SCSEP helps match skill sets and interests of the participant to those needed by the community partner agencies. Participants are paid minimum wage for approximately 20 hours per week while participating in community service work and other job training at the appointed sites.
WorkOne develops an individual employment plan with participants to help them discover additional talents and develop new skills. Participants also receive help in job development, job placement, and follow-up services to help them eliminate employment barriers. WorkOne staff and SCSEP participants review their individual employment plan twice a year during active participation in the program to measure the potential increase of the participant’s self-sufficiency.
Consider visiting your local WorkOne to explore the possibilities
Accessing these older worker or senior programs for your clients can improve their opportunities to engage in meaningful employment so they can support themselves and their families. But Indiana prospers as well. More spending and investments, more tax revenue, more social enterprises growing and thriving with community engagement through service is beneficial to all Hoosiers.
The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) offers additional programs to help with career exploration and assessments through Indiana Career Connect, a tool available to any 
WorkOne customer. Trained employees assist with developing a resume, searching for a job, and prepping for an interview. DWD provides direct referrals to jobs and can also help with referrals to other federal, state, and local agencies that share information on rights and employment benefits.
We will continue our look at the programs offered at WorkOne Centers next month, but we encourage you to consider visiting your local WorkOne soon to explore what is available for your use as you support individuals seeking employment.
Resources
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
SCSEP Provider Information for WorkOne Regions
Indiana WorkOne Regional Map of Offices by County
Chart to Determine 125% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) by household size