Program History
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2003-02-26 07:25:02
Program History
In 1969, NRTA-AARP was one of five national contractors designated by the U.S. Department of Labor to operate a job training and employment program for unemployed and underemployed economically disadvantaged persons age 55 and older. In addition to providing a source of income for the enrollees, the program demonstrated that they had much to offer employers in the public and private sectors despite some initially being considered unemployable.
Originally developed in conjunction with Operation Mainstream, a pilot program called the Senior Community Service Aides Project was established. In 1969, AARP SCSEP had six project sites and a total enrollment of 313. Expansion resulted in a new funding source under the Older Americans Act and a slight name change to the Senior Community Service Employment Program.
The major objectives of this program were to meet two real and pressing needs commonly experienced by elderly, low-income persons with barriers to employment. These were (1) the need for additional income and (2) the need to regain a sense of involvement with the community and the mainstream of life generally. This program was designed to meet both of these needs simultaneously through the establishment of federally subsidized part-time community service employment positions for low-income, older job seekers and the provision of training opportunities to enhance their possibilities for finding employment in the private and public sectors.
Today, AARP SCSEP is one of ten national sponsors. It is administered through the AARP Foundation and funded by the Department of Labor (DOL). Since 1969, AARP SCSEP has served over 350,000 people throughout the country. Currently, there are 90 sites in 31 states and Puerto Rico. In the grant year 2002, AARP SCSEP placed 53% of enrollees in unsubsidized jobs — far exceeding the 20% goal set by DOL and consistently leading all national sponsors in placements.
In 1996, with the enactment of the Lobbying Disclosure Act which prohibits 501(c )(4) organizations, such as AARP, from receiving federal funds if they engage in lobbying activities, the administration of the SCSEP was transferred to the AARP Foundation. The AARP Foundation is a 501(c )(3) non-partisan, charitable organization that administers educational, employment, advocacy and community service programs. Because the SCSEP is administered with federal funds, the AARP Foundation's SCSEP employees and enrollees are not permitted to engage in lobbying or partisan activities while in a paid status with the program.
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