Are you 55 or older, low income and need a job?
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a community service and work-based job training program for older Americans. Nebraska SCSEP matches eligible older adults with part-time training assignments at non-profits or government agencies where participants build skills and self-confidence while earning a modest income with the goal of transitioning into non-subsidized employment.
Individuals accepted into the program are assigned job training placements at Host Agencies in the community based on the individual’s preference and employment goals developed from their IEP (Individual Employment Plan). SCSEP participants gain work experience in a variety of community service activities at non-profit and public agencies, including schools, hospitals, day-care centers, and senior centers.
Learn More
To learn more about the program, visit with your workforce experts at any Nebraska Department of Labor reemployment services site, or contact a job center near you.
Email: NDOL.SCSEP@nebraska.gov
Video Link: Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
Job Seekers
Benefits and Services
As a participant of the SCSEP you will:
- Earn income
- Receive training and experience to help develop employment skills
- Receive free annual physical exams
- Have the chance to obtain full- or part-time unsubsidized employment
- Partake in meaningful social and physical activities
- Engage in activities to support independence
Participants receive orientation, community service assignments, training opportunities, and supportive services. Participants are also offered a free physical examination.
Assessments are completed to obtain information about the participant’s work history, skills and interests, talents, physical capabilities, need for supportive services, potential for performing community service assignments, and potential for transition to a regular job.
Eligibility
- A resident of Nebraska
- 55 years of age or older
- Unemployed
- Family income of no more than 125 percent of the federal poverty level
Enrollment priority is given to individuals who meet one of the following criteria:
- Veterans and qualified spouses
- 65 and older
- Have a disability
- Have limited English proficiency or low literacy skills
- Reside in a rural area
- Have low employment prospects
- Have failed to find employment after receiving services under the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
- Are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness
- Are formerly incarcerated or under supervision from release from prison or jail within five years of the date of initial eligibility determination
Host Agency
Benefits and Services
Public and nonprofit organizations benefit from an expanded workforce that gives them the opportunity to improve services through association with the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). SCSEP participants normally perform a variety of tasks that may not be accomplished because of a gap in funding.
Through SCSEP, participants can be placed in a wide variety of positions including day care centers, senior centers, governmental agencies, schools, hospitals, libraries and landscaping centers. These positions are training assignments designed to provide the participant with skills and experience to obtain future employment while also providing no cost labor for local organizations.
Eligibility
The host agency is instrumental in the success of the SCSEP. Host agencies are 501(c)(3) non-profit agencies, community-based organizations, or government agency. By training at a local organization, participants build the skills and behaviors needed to be successful in obtaining a job and keeping it. In addition, work-training in a realistic environment provides the opportunity to gain knowledge and feedback that will help SCSEP participants be successful in the long-term.
SCSEP placements are meant to build capacity for host agencies and not to replace permanent positions. Host Agencies are required to meet maintenance of effort requirements. Each project funded under SCSEP:
- Must not reduce the number of employment opportunities or vacancies that would otherwise be available to individuals not participating in the program;
- Must not displace currently employed workers (including partial displacement, such as a reduction in the hours of non-overtime work, wages, or employment benefits);
- Must not impair existing contracts or result in the substitution of Federal funds for other funds in connection with work that would otherwise be performed; and
- Must not employ or continue to employ any eligible individual to perform the same work or substantially the same work as that performed by any other individual who is on layoff. (OAA § 502(b)(1)(G)).
Employers
Benefits and Services
Older Workers are Good for Business
Finding the right employee can be a difficult task. Expand your search to include a previously underutilized pool of talent — individuals age 55 or over. Nebraska SCSEP can help you do just that by matching your needs with a dedicated worker who can get the job done!
The assets of older workers are increasingly being recognized by employers. Those assets include a strong work ethic, high productivity, extensive life and work experience, and low turnover rates. Many Nebraska employers are hiring older workers as part of their recruitment efforts to utilize the skills, experience, and talents they possess.
Participants of the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) have developed and enhanced their skills by participating in training assignments offered through host agencies.
Nebraska Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) helps make connections between older job seekers and employers. In addition to saving you time and money on recruitment, we even offer trial employment opportunities at no cost to you. We make sure the candidate is a good fit for your business.
Everybody benefits from a multigenerational workforce, including you, the employer. Older workers are ideal candidates bringing maturity, a strong work ethic, reliability, and strong interpersonal and communication skills. Older workers can teach and mentor your younger ones using their knowledge and life experience, while they gain inspiration from the energy and passion of younger employees.
Eligibility
Whether your organization or company has an immediate one-time hiring need or recurring needs throughout the year, Nebraska Department of Labor can help. Contact us with your available position(s), and you will be provided with candidates that have been pre-screened with the right skills and experience. You can decide to hire them outright or participate in one of our trial employment programs.
On-the-Job Experience Trial Employment Program
Trial employment is a true “Try-Before-You-Hire” opportunity for older job seekers to work for an agreed upon period of time without any risk to you. During that time, Nebraska SCSEP pays the job seeker’s wages and workers compensation coverage. At the end of the trial, you can hire the job seeker, or if you determine they are not a good fit, we will handle informing them and finding a new opportunity for them.
Whether or not you hire the candidate, you do not pay the participant or Nebraska Department of Labor anything for the trial.
On-the-Job Training
Should you choose to employ the participant outright or bring them on permanently after the trial period, your business may qualify for wage reimbursement to supplement the cost of training your new employee as they continue to gain skills to reach full proficiency in their new position.
Learn More
To learn more about the program, visit with your workforce experts at any Nebraska Department of Labor reemployment services site.