SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM - LOUISIANA
The purpose of the Senior Community Service employment Program is to foster individual economic self-sufficiency and promote useful opportunities in the community for service activities (which shall include community service employment). This program is for unemployed low-income persons who are age 55 or older, particularly those who have poor employment prospects. The goal of this program is to increase the number of persons who will receive the benefits of unsubsidized employment in both the private and public sectors.
The Office of Elderly Affairs administers this program in the southeastern portion of Louisiana through three sub grantees, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Jefferson Council on Aging in Metairie, and St. James Area Agency on Aging in Covent. Four national contractors administer the rest of the state: Experience Works (EW), National Council on Aging (NCOA), National Association of Hispanic Elderly (ANNPM), and American Association of Retired Person (AARP). This program is funded through the US Department of Labor.
Eligible participants who have a family income of no more than 125% of the federal poverty level are able to work an average of 20 hours a week, and are paid the highest of federal, state or local minimum wage. They are placed in a wide variety of community service activities at non-profit and public facilities, including day-care centers, senior centers, schools, libraries, museums and hospitals. It is intended that community service training serve as a bridge to unsubsidized employment opportunities. Supportive services are offered in the form of physical exams, transportation, uniforms, safety equipment, etc.
Eligibility You may be eligible for SCSEP if you are: •At least 55 years of age •Eligible to work in the U.S. •Unemployed or earn a limited income for your family size as defined below Income Eligibility Number of People in Household Maximum Yearly Income 1 $13,963 2 $18,913 3 $23,863 4 $28,813 More than 4 $28,813 plus $4,950 for each added person Persons who have a documented disability, are considered to be a family of one, even if they live with several people in a household. Some income is not included in income eligibility calculations, such as disability benefits and unemployment benefits. Contact the SCSEP Director in the parish of residency if you meet the program’s income eligibility requirements. Priority Groups The first priority for program enrollment is given to veterans and their eligible spouses, as long as their discharge was not dishonorable. The second priority for program enrollment is given to individuals with at least one of these characteristics: •Are 65 years of age or older •Have a disability •Have limited English skills •Have low reading, writing and math skills •Live in a rural area •Need extra support and training in order to secure employment •Did not get a job after receiving Workforce Investment Act services •Are homeless or at risk of homelessness Services and Benefits SCSEP offers these services and benefits: •Assessment of skills, experience, education, interests and any added help you need to complete training and find the type of job you want •Development of a training plan for the job selected (IEP) •A part-time, work-based training assignment for skills development related to employment goal •A free annual health check-up •Training on how to look for jobs, how to talk to a prospective employer and how to be successful in your job •Instruction in English, reading, writing, arithmetic or General Education Development (GED) preparation •Training for other job skills like keyboarding, computer, customer service, home health aide, etc. •Assistance with job search •Connection to support services you need to successfully complete training, find a job and keep it Time Limits SCSEP is a temporary job training program. The program helps participants learn the skills they need and access other resources so they can find a job in one or two years. Some people need more time to complete their training. The program has a 48-month durational limit. Some SCSEP organizations let you stay in the program an extra year if you meet certain requirements.
STATE SUB GRANTEESCatholic Charities of the Diocese, of Baton RougE
East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, Tangipahoa, Washington, West Baton Rouge
P.O. Box 4232
1900 S. Acadian Thruway
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4232
Phone: (225) 336-8770, Fax (225)336-8745
Email: dchavis@ccdiobr.org, broberson@ccdiobr.org, www.ccdiobr.org
Website: http://www.ccdiobr.org/programs/employmnet.html
St. James Area Agency on Aging
Lafourche, St. James
Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 87
5153 Canatella Street
Phone: (225) 562-2372
Email: suewon.narcisse@stjamesla.com
Jefferson, Plaquemines
P.O. Box 73769, suite 107
6640 Riverside Drive
Metairie, LA 70033-3769
Phone: (504) 888-5880
Email: rjenkins@jcoa.net, sremp@jcoa.net
Website: http://www.jcoa.net/services/senior-employment-services
NATIONAL CONTRACTORsAARP Ascension
Livingston, Orleans,Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, East Baton Rouge
2475 Canal Street, Suite 240
New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone: (504) 822-2671
Email: lharper@aarp.org, rfscott@aarp.org
Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Grant, Jackson, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, Union, Vernon, Webster, Winn
820 Jordan Street, Suite 310
Shreveport, LA 71101-4576
Phone: (318) 221-7611
Email: anppmkarina@aol.com
Acadia, Assumption, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jeff Davis, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary,Vermilion, West Feliciana
1879 Legisle St., Lot 2
Mansura, LA 71350
Phone: (318) 876-3989
Email: becky_scott@experienceworks.org
National Council on Aging, Inc.
Caldwell, Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, Franklin, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, West Carroll
University of LA at Monroe
Stubbs Hall/Room l04
Monroe, LA 71209
Phone: (318) 342-5533
Email: boyd@ulm.edu
Link
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
