SCSEP: Senior Community Service Employment Program

SCSEP Program Overview

SCSEP is the largest federally-funded program specifically targeting older adults seeking employment and training assistance.
The goal of SCSEP is to help participants gain work experience and overcome barriers by receiving on-the-job training at not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) community based organizations or government agencies.  The dual purpose of the SCSEP program is to provide community service while also improving participant’s job skills to enable them to find full or part-time unsubsidized employment.

Nationally, NAPCA serves over 1,200 older workers through the SCSEP program annually. In 2016, NAPCA SCSEP participants contributed over 600,000 hours to our community through their community services.

This project received $13,967,915 (90.91% of its total cost) from grants awarded under the SCSEP grant, as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.  $1,396,791.50 (9.09%) of the project is financed by non-federal funding sources. 

Project Locations

King/Pierce Counties, WA

National Asian Pacific
Center on Aging
1511 3rd Ave, St. 914
Seattle, WA 98101

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Phone: (206) 838-8170
Fax: (206) 322-5387

Betty Chan, Project Coordinator
E-mail: betty@napca.org

Website: www.napca.org

Alameda County, CA

Self-Help for the Elderly
2400 MacArthur Blvd
Oakland, CA 94602

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Phone: (415) 677-7600
Fax: (510) 336-0144

Kelly Zhou, Project Coordinator
E-mail: kellyz@selfhelpelderly.org

Website: www.selfhelpelderly.org

Napa, Solano, Sonoma Counties, CA

SER-Jobs for Progress
255 North Fulton, Ste #106
Fresno, CA 93701

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Phone: (559)-452-0881
Fax: (559)803-6154

Francis Trujillo, SER-SCSEP Coordinator
E-mail: ftrujillo@sercalifornia.org

Website: www.sercalifornia.org

Los Angeles County, CA

National Asian Pacific
Center on Aging
767 N. Hill Street, Ste #301
Los Angeles, CA 90012

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Phone: 213-617-8553
Fax: 213-617-8615

Danee Prasert, Project Manager
E-mail: danee@napca.org

Orange County, CA

Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center
850 North Birch Street
Santa Ana, CA 92701

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Phone: (714) 560-8877
Fax: (714) 836-8188

Norman Lee, Project Director
E-mail: normanlee@aascsc.org

Website:  www.aascsc.org

Sacramento County, CA

ACC Senior Services
7334 Park City Drive
Sacramento, CA 95831

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Phone: (916) 394-6399 ext. 143
Fax: (916) 394-6392

Dave Lin, Project Director
E-mail: dlin@accsv.org

Website: www.accsv.org

San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara Counties CA

Self-Help for the Elderly
601 Jackson Street, 2nd Fl
San Francisco, CA 94133

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Phone: 415-677-7502
Fax: 415-391-3760

Kelly Zhou, Project Coordinator
E-mail: kellyz@selfhelpelderly.org

Website: www.selfhelpelderly.org

Cook County, IL

National Asian Pacific
Center on Aging
122 S. Michigan Ave, Ste 1414
Chicago, IL 60603

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Phone: (312) 913-0981
Fax: (312) 913-0982

Harris Lee, Project Director
E-mail: harris@napca.org

Website: www.napca.org

Cook County, IL

Chinese American Service League
2141 South Tan Court
Chicago, IL 60616
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Phone: (312) 791-0418
Fax: (312) 791-0509

Bob Zhou, Project Director
E-mail: bob_zhou@caslservice.org

Website: www.caslservice.org

Northern Illinois Counties, IL

National Able Network Inc.
567 W. Lake St., Ste. 1150
Chicago, IL 60661

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Phone: (217)-560-3065
Fax: (217)-560-3073

Stacey Parr, Workforce Services Director
E-mail: sparr@nationalable.org

Website: www.nationalable.org

Norfolk, Suffolk, Middlesex, Counties MA

Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center
75 Kneeland St, Ste 204
Boston, MA 02111

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Phone: 617-357-0226 x203
Fax: 617-423-7672

Kun Chang, Project Director
E-mail: kunchang@aol.com
Website: www.gbcgac.org

Philadelphia, Montgomery Counties, PA

Philip Jaisohn Memorial Center
6705 Old York Rd
Philadelphia, PA 19126

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Phone: (215) 224-0358
Fax: (215) 224-0724

Joseph Lee, Project Director
E-mail: lee.sukgu@verizon.net

Website: www.jaisohn.org

Harris County, TX

Chinese Community Center of Houston Texas
9800 Town Park Dr.
Houston, TX 77036

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Phone: (713) 271-6100 ext. 206
Fax: (832) 218-6992

Maggie Sun, Program Manager
E-mail: maggie@ccchouston.org

Website: www.ccchouston.org

Bronx, Kings, Queens Counties, NY

Korean Community Service of Metro NY
2 W 32nd St., #604
New York, NY 10001

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Phone: (718) 939-6137 ext. #319
Fax: (646) 862-0509

Helen Jang, Project Director
E-mail: helenjang@kcsny.org

Website: www.kcsny.org

Participant Testimonials

Joining NAPCA was a turning point in my life - I had the chance to learn new skills, meet new friends and be able to work with others as part of a team. Each day gives me a deeper meaning and fulfillment in my life, knowing I have become more independent, no longer a total burden to my children or to society. I am now able to give back to the community that has not only been caring and generous to all, but most of all to its seniors.

C.D.Former NAPCA LA Participant

As a recent immigrant, I had very limited work experience and only worked less than a year in the U.S. I also spoke limited English and my wife and I relied on food stamps and monthly support from my daughter. Due to my difficult circumstances in finding a job, I decided to apply to SCSEP for training. I was assigned a position at my host agency as a kitchen assistant, but at the same time continued to actively search for jobs. Now I am working full-time at a restaurant as cooking assistant.

X.L.Former SCSEP Seattle Participant

In 2012, I enrolled and began SCSEP training at Bayview Manor in Seattle as a kitchen assistant. I acquired many skills, including food preparation, customer service, cleaning, and assisting cooks and staff. I also obtained my food handler's permit. I was able to learn and improve my skills during training and as a result I got hired by my host agency as a part-time server.

A.N.Former SCSEP Seattle Participant

I had the opportunity to work with hotel service workers from diverse backgrounds. As a result of receiving hospitality training, I have gained room attendant and customer service skills. Additionally, I obtained valuable career tips on how to prepare and get hired to work at the finest hotels.

B.R.Former SCSEP Boston Participant

Through my host agency at Chinese Progress Association, I was passionate in helping immigrants raise their voice in the workplace and protecting workers' rights. Thanks to SCSEP’s support, I strengthened my work skills and regained my passion to help others. I truly appreciate the learning and training opportunities that SCSEP provided.

S.Y.Former SCSEP Chicago Participant

I heard about the SCSEP program through a friend and decided to apply in order to be more productive. Being a participant in the SCSEP program gave me the opportunity to get out of the house and be more active in my daily life. I was not expecting to work full-time at my age, however, I was satisfied with a simple part-time job that can gave me a reason to leave my home, interact with my companions, and provide me with some financial assistance. Being involved in the SCSEP program improved my physical and mental well-being and helped me through a difficult time in my life.

T.A.Current SCSEP LA Participant

I learned a lot from the NAPCA SCSEP training, including improving my self-confidence. During the monthly job club meetings, I had the chance to learn how to introduce myself in English. Before, I only interacted with machinery at work, but now I've learned how to deal with human clients face-to-face in English. The job club encouraged and inspired me to accept and conquer this challenge.

T.P.Former SCSEP Orange County Participant

Resources

Looking for older worker resources?

South East Asian Voices

Pacific Islander Voices

Senior Voices

Research Study: Elder Mistreatment among AAPI Older Adults

Pilot Study: Financial Well-Being among AAPI Older Workers

Joining The Program

How does NAPCA SCSEP work?

Individuals that are selected will get assigned to a host agency (non-profit or governmental agency) where they will be provided supervision and training.  Participants will be allowed to work part time for up to 20 hours a week and will be paid the local, state or federal minimum wage, whichever is higher.  Periodic individual employment plans and assessments will be conducted to provide further assistance to the participants.   Skills learned through the host agency and training sessions will be useful in assisting participants to transition into unsubsidized employment.

Eligibility for Interested Applicants

 

Am I eligible to enroll in the SCSEP?

All SCSEP participants must have ALL the following requirements:

  • Unemployed
  • Age 55 years or older
  • Have an income at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty level
  • Eligible to work in the United States according to the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
  • Reside in one of the counties that NAPCA SCSEP serves (see  project locations)

If you are interested in SCSEP, please fill out a preliminary eligibility form and send it to your local project site or fax it to 206-624-1023 attention to SCSEP.

Eligibility to become a Host Organization

 

How can my organization partner with NAPCA SCSEP as a host agency?

Organizations who want to become a host agency with NAPCA SCSEP must fit into one of two criteria:

  • Private non-profit organization with current 501(c)(3) designation from the Internal Revenue Service; or
  • Government agency

If your organization is within the area of our project sites, fit the qualifications, and interested in participating as a host agency please fill out host agency application form and send it your local project site or fax it to 206-624-1023 attention to SCSEP.