Senior Community Service Employment Program Research Articles

Unemployed, Immigrant, and Older Asian Workers in a U.S.-Based Job-Training Program: Their Experiences and Well-Being, and Strategies for Reaching This Important Population

ABSTRACT The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a U.S.-based job-training program that serves unemployed workers aged 55 and older with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. While federal funds are set aside to serve Asian workers in SCSEP, little is known about their characteristics and experiences. In response, this pilot study aimed to document the health, well-being, and experiences of older Asian SCSEP participants in Massachusetts through the completion of a survey. Respondents (N = 39) ranged in age from 58 to 73 and identified as either Chinese (72%) or Vietnamese (28%). All were immigrants, and almost all spoke a language other than English at home. Most reported “good” health as well as financial difficulties. They also stated that their supervisors in their placements were supportive. On average, respondents noted moderate interest in searching for a paid job after exiting SCSEP, although more reported interest in searching for a volunteer role. Key to the success of this study was a robust collaboration with a local human services organization with strong ties to the Chinese and Vietnamese communities. The findings highlight the importance of this growing group of older workers.

Senior Community Service Employment Program National Grants Competition (DOL)

Senior Community Service Employment Program National Grants Competition (DOL)

EXPERIENCES AND WELL-BEING OF LOW-INCOME WORKERS IN THE SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

Abstract The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is the only federal job-training program specifically for older workers. SCSEP enrolls unemployed older workers with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level into on-the-job and classroom-based training. SCSEP participants often struggle to secure unsubsidized work, as they experience, on average, more than 3 barriers to employment (e.g., low literacy levels, disability, limited English proficiency). While some outcome metrics are tracked (e.g., job attainment, median unsubsidized wages), we know relatively little about participants’ health, well-being, and training experiences. In response, and in partnership with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, we fielded a survey on the multidimensional health, well-being, and experiences of participants throughout Massachusetts. Fielded in the spring and summer of 2022 and in six languages, a total of 91 SCSEP participants took the survey with an age range of 57 to 82. Almost half (44%) spoke a language other than English at home, of which Cantonese and Vietnamese were the most common. Respondents generally reported being in moderately good health (only 3% reported “excellent” health) with at least one chronic health condition (86%), and two-thirds (66%) reported reduced social activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Less than one-quarter (22%) reported having money left over at the end of the month, but that SCSEP itself improved their finances, social engagement, and self-confidence. To conclude, we will offer reflections on the importance of tracking additional characteristics of SCSEP participants and engaging in respectful community-based work with diverse older populations.

PRECARITY AND WORK IN LATER LIFE: EXPERIENCES OF OLDER WORKERS IN UNCERTAIN TIMES

Abstract Employees later in their careers often earn the highest income of their lives, enabling them save for retirement while living in relative comfort. Yet many workers do not experience this late-career economic boost and instead face age bias and discrimination, difficulty finding and keeping work, and social and economic inequalities. Using an intersectionality lens, these difficulties often lead to disparities by race, ethnicity, gender, and immigration status, highlighting the varied socioeconomic experiences of older adults. The economic and social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have often exacerbated these disparities. This symposium will highlight the varied experiences of late-career workers since the advent of the pandemic, with an emphasis on lower income workers and disparities by race and ethnicity. Dr. Choi-Allum will describe the results from a nationally representative survey of 2,000 workers ages 40 and older by AARP, highlighting how perceived age discrimination and the sense of a weak economy is driving uncertainty in finding and keeping paid work. Dr. Carr will identify racial and ethnic disparities in pandemic-related job disruption and its associated financial setbacks using Health and Retirement Study data. Dr. Halvorsen will describe the experiences of older, lower-income, and often immigrant job seekers within the federally funded Senior Community Service Employment Program in Massachusetts. And Dr. Matz will outline research with older adults who live in public housing on how social resources obtained partly through work may buffer financial strain’s impact on health. To conclude, Dr. Miller will place the four studies into the broader socioeconomic context. This is an Aging Workforce Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program: Its Influence on Participant Well-Being—And Recommendations to Strengthen it

The Senior Community Service Employment Program: Its Influence on Participant Well-Being—And Recommendations to Strengthen it

Documenting the Health, Well-Being, and Experiences of Older Asian Workers in the Senior Community Service Employment Program

Documenting the Health, Well-Being, and Experiences of Older Asian Workers in the Senior Community Service Employment Program

Documenting the Health, Well-Being, and Experiences of Older Workers in the Senior Community Service Employment Program

Documenting the Health, Well-Being, and Experiences of Older Workers in the Senior Community Service Employment Program

THE SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM: NEW DATA ON OLDER ASIAN WORKERS

Abstract The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is the only federal employment program for people aged 55 and older. While 6% of the approximately 60,000 participants are Asian and federal funds are set aside to serve Asian workers, little is known about their personal characteristics and experiences in SCSEP. Using novel data from an online and paper-based Massachusetts survey of SCSEP participants from April to August 2022 offered in multiple languages, this study aimed to describe Asian participants’ characteristics and experiences in SCSEP. Respondents (Nf39) ranged in age from 58 to 73. Almost all spoke a language other than English at home, and all respondents were born outside of the U.S. Nearly half reported a high school degree or less, and none reported “excellent” health. One-third reported feeling lonely occasionally or in specific situations. While two-thirds have made recent tradeoffs in paying for important goods and services (e.g., food and health care), most reported that their personal finances, social engagement, family life, and self-confidence have improved due to SCSEP. Further, 9 in 10 agreed that their supervisors understood the goals of SCSEP and were supportive. A quarter said separately that it was very likely they would search for a paid job or volunteer role after exiting SCSEP. These results contribute to the small amount of literature on older Asian American workers while informing the work of organizations that serve older Asian workers who have experienced multiple barriers to employment relating to nativity status, language abilities, and anti-Asian discrimination.

THE ROLE OF FORMAL RESOURCES ON ELDER MISTREATMENT HELP-SEEKING BEHAVIORS AMONG ASIAN OLDER ADULTS

Abstract Elder mistreatment is one of the most difficult topics to talk about among Asian older adult immigrants in the U.S. because they are unfamiliar and uncomfortable to disclose the issue due to their unique cultural values and limited English language proficiency. We recruited 494 community dwelling older adults from five cities who identified themselves of Asian ethnicity, and were 55 years old and older. Participants had various Asian ethnic and language backgrounds (e.g. Korean, Chinese, Filipino, and Vietnamese). Most of them were foreign-born (84.6%) with the mean age of 69.0 (SD = 8.47). Using the participant survey data, we focused on examining difference regarding elder mistreatment experience, perceptions, and help-seeking intentions between the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) group and the non-SCSEP group that may or may not participate in paid workforce. The SCSEP is the federally paid workforce program for low-income older adults aged 55 or above aiming at fostering older adults’ community service and economic self-sufficiency. There was a significant difference in emotional mistreatment experiences between SCSEP and non-SCSEP participants. Furthermore, the two groups were significantly different in their likelihood of seeking help from Adult Protective Services (APS). Those who ever participated in the SCSEP were more likely to seek help from APS (X2 = 1, N = 284) = 4.674, p ≤ .05. Implications for future research and gerontology services are discussed to enhance Asian older adults’ awareness of elder mistreatment, and APS and other formal sources of help.

How the Senior Community Service Employment Program Influences Participant Well-Being: A Participatory Research Approach With Program Recommendations.

The federal Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) provides on-the-job training to people 55years and older with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level with multiple barriers to employment. This study examined the processes by which SCSEP may influence participant financial, physical, and mental well-being. We engaged 15 SCSEP participants and case managers over four virtual and one telephone session using a participatory research method called community-based system dynamics. Activities included identifying key problem trends, variable elicitation, developing a causal map, and identifying changes to the system to increase participant well-being. Respondents identified how individual, organizational, and program and policy factors relate to participant well-being (e.g., SCSEP participation reduces social isolation, which increases desire to participate) and suggested program and policy recommendations to strengthen SCSEP (e.g., benchmarks of success should include health and well-being outcomes). These findings highlight the benefits and potential of this long-running program.

A Community-Based System Dynamics Study of the Senior Community Service Employment Program

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the only federal workforce-training program that targets older adults, engages people aged 55 years and older with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level with multiple barriers to employment. This study examined SCSEP’s role in participant financial, physical, and mental well-being. To do so, we held five sessions (four virtual, one telephone) over a combined nine hours in August and September 2020 using a form of participatory research called community-based system dynamics with 15 Massachusetts SCSEP participants and case managers. Through structured activities, respondents identified how program, policy, and organizational factors influence and are influenced by participant well-being (e.g., SCSEP participation results in less social isolation, decreased isolation subsequently increases desire to participate) as well as program and policy recommendations to strengthen the program (e.g., reconsider benchmarks of success). These findings highlight the benefits and potential of this long-running program.

Participatory Research With Older Workers in a Pandemic: Innovations and Lessons Learned

In the spring of 2020, and as the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic became increasingly dire, in-person studies halted throughout the world. This included our planned study to examine the role of the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)—the sole federal workforce training program for low-income older adults—in influencing participant financial, physical, and mental well-being. While our original plans were to hold a series of in-person workshops with SCSEP participants and case managers using a form of participatory research called community-based system dynamics (CBSD), we paused the launch of our study to determine the safest path forward. This presentation will describe how we responded as well as innovations and implications for future research with harder to reach populations. First, we met with the Massachusetts state SCSEP director to assess the feasibility of moving our sessions online with this particular population. After determining that virtual and telephone sessions would both be needed to increase accessibility, we identified virtual whiteboard software rigorous enough to utilize CBSD-specific activities, user-friendly enough for populations less familiar with virtual environments, and with security features that would be approved by our university, as well as discussed what types of activities to conduct on the telephone for such a visual research method. Our CBSD study was one of the first to utilize virtual and telephone formats in the history of this method, and our results indicate that it is possible—and sometimes beneficial—to move in-person participatory methods to these environments to increase inclusion and efficiency.

Injustice Squared? An Intersectional Lens to Research on Productive Engagement in Later Life

Social inequalities over the life course shape later life opportunities and outcomes in important ways. However, research on paid and unpaid work in later life has not always captured (and has sometimes mischaracterized) the variety and complexity of lived experiences in later life—in particular for low-income workers, workers of color, women, and others marginalized due to their social position. Further, statistics often obscure the most important information: how the most marginalized older workers are faring. Intersectionality, a term coined by legal scholar, Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw, describes the overlapping and intersecting social identities that often influence how we move around in society. Some identities garner privilege and power and others oppression and marginalization; we must look at their intersection to better understand complexity and inform solutions. This symposium will apply an intersectional lens to research on paid and unpaid work in later life. The first paper is a scoping review that assesses the extent to which race and ethnicity are investigated in studies of the longitudinal association between workplace demands and cognitive health. The second paper explores how older Black and Hispanic adults’ work engagement is impacted by COVID-19. The third paper considers gender differences in volunteer engagement among Asian-American older adults. The final paper examines the Senior Community Service Employment Program’s role in participant financial, physical, and mental well-being. A discussant will reflect on these studies and the need for continued research that considers intersectionality in opportunities and experiences for paid and unpaid work in later life.

Empowering Through Education: Understanding Financial Well-Being Among Low-Income Older Adults

Recognizing the need for and importance of financial capability education among low-income older adults, the non-profit agency, Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People (ESOP), implemented an 11-part financial education workshop series with a sample of older adults enrolled in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). Over the course of 10-months, participants attended workshops that covered an array of topics (e.g., budgeting and goal setting, avoiding financial exploitation) and completed a variety of measures aimed at understanding their financial situation and well-being (e.g., CFPB Financial Well-Being Scale, Financial Shocks, Material Hardship, Financial Skill). Results indicated that financial well-being scores significantly increased from the beginning of the workshop series (M=54.49, SD=7.23) to the end (M=58.10, SD=8.10); t(48) = 3.66, p=.001. Discussion will offer insights into the subjective financial experiences of low-income older adults who were actively trying to seek and gain permanent employment to improve their financial situation.

Amendments Made to the Older Americans Act Titles III, IV, and V

This presentation discusses amendments made to the Older Americans Act titles III, IV and V through the most recent reauthorization. Title III reauthorizes Title IV programs, Title IV reauthorizes title V programs and Title V reauthorizes title VI programs. The reauthorizations each include a seven percent increase in fiscal year 2020 and a six percent increase per year for the next four fiscal years. New in title III are an amendment that allows projects that address traumatic brain injury among older adults to be included in grant programs, an amendment that improves an existing transportation grant program and an amendment that improves an existing grant program for multigenerational collaboration. Additionally, existing falls prevention and chronic disease self-management programs are codified within title III. New in title IV is an amendment that allows eligible previously incarcerated individuals to be considered a prioritized population for the Senior Community Service Employment Program.

Job Training and so Much More for Low-Income Older Adults: The Senior Community Service Employment Program

An important anti-poverty program for older Americans is facing a serious problem: The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) was deemed “ineffective” by the Department of Labor. The department’s 2020 budget, in fact, proposes the program’s elimination. SCSEP, which places low-income adults aged 55 and older with multiple barriers to work in on-the-job training in nonprofit and public agencies while providing a modest stipend, has the goal of helping participants to transition into unsubsidized, gainful employment. Yet measures used to determine the program’s effectiveness focus solely on employment outcomes, ignoring important outcomes related to health and social engagement. This commentary advocates for the preservation of SCSEP by countering the view that it is purely an employment intervention for low-income older adults. We describe the complexity of the program and the people it serves and argue that using select measures that do not encompass the breadth of SCSEP’s benefits creates an inaccurate appearance of ineffectiveness. We conclude with recommendations for SCSEP administrators and grantees, social workers, and others to enhance the promise of this important program.

Older Workers and Federal Work Programs: The Korean Senior Employment Program (KSEP)

ABSTRACTFederal older worker programs are attracting attention due to the growing number of older workers across the world. They are uniquely situated to provide out-of-market work opportunities to older job seekers, who often find their age a barrier to securing desirable jobs. In 2004, the Korean government established its own program, the Korean Senior Employment Program (KSEP); however, literature for international readers on this innovative program is lacking. Thus, this article aims to provide an in-depth description of KSEP and a brief comparison between the Senior Community Service Employment Program in the U.S. and KSEP. The unique characteristics of KSEP include having the dual program foci on supplemental income and social participation; expanding work opportunities in the private sector beyond community-based jobs; accepting participants who are financially disadvantaged as well as those with a high desire for social participation regardless of their income; and broadening work opportunities for those with professional skills beyond repetitive, simple, and temporary jobs. This article may offer helpful insights to older worker advocates from various countries in creating or modifying their programs.

Defining the Participating Factors of Senior Community Service Employment Program

Defining the Participating Factors of Senior Community Service Employment Program

Title V of the Older Americans Act, the Senior Community Service Employment Program: Participant Demographics and Service to Racially/Ethnically Diverse Populations

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.

Promoting Employment and Community Service among Low-Income Seniors: The Successes and Challenges of the Senior Community Service Employment Program

Journal Article Promoting Employment and Community Service among Low-Income Seniors: The Successes and Challenges of the Senior Community Service Employment Program Get access Judith G. Gonyea, Judith G. Gonyea Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Robert B. Hudson Robert B. Hudson Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Public Policy & Aging Report, Volume 21, Issue 1, Winter 2011, Pages 40–47, https://doi.org/10.1093/ppar/21.1.40 Published: 01 January 2011