SER’s SCSEP (Senior Community Service and Employment Program) targets adults aged 55 years and over who have a desire to work but cannot find employment on their own.  It is designed to help older adults transition back into the workforce or to find work for the first time.  This program includes a subsidized work experience component whereby customers are assigned to a local not-for-profit organization where they learn and develop new workplace skills, while giving back to the community.  Customers are paid wages subsidized by the government while they are training at the worksite.

All customers in these programs are assigned to a one-on-one coach that helps them develop and pursue a plan for unsubsidized employment, and an Industry Staffing Specialists provides customers with viable job leads.  Customers receive feedback from their worksite supervisor and SER coach on their performance, so that they can improve their employability.

SER is working with over 250 seniors throughout Cook, Kane, Will, Lake and McHenry counties.

Why is SCSEP Important? Many older adults do not have the resources they need to retire comfortably, and many older adults also have a desire to remain productive in their later years.  However, as the economy has changed rapidly over the past several decades, the skills possessed by seniors do not always match up with available job opportunities.  SCSEP provides these individuals with the opportunity to train in a real work setting, learning new computer, administrative or other transferrable skills so that they may ultimately find permanent employment.

Results: SER provided over 250 seniors with a quality, paid training experience during the 2009 Program Year. We also ranked 3rd among grantees for our job retention rate meaning the seniors we place retain their employment.

Funders:  Department of Labor via SER National

For Our Potential Customers:

Eligibility:  Seniors must be age 55 and over at the time of enrollment, must reside in the state and county being served, must have an annual family income within 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and must be unemployed during the time training in the program

Suitability:  All customers referred to SER’s employment programs should demonstrate a willingness to learn new skills and a desire to find employment. Customers must be willing to follow the mandatory requirements of the program to be successful.

Orientation Information: SER has a long waiting list and Orientation Sessions are only held when needed. Please contact Elisa Rafinski (Cook, Kane & Will Counties) or George Manavalan (McHenry & Lake Counties) for more information

Contact Information:

Cook, Kane and Will Counties: Elisa Rafinski, Lead Career Development Specialist, 773.542.9030, ext. 1280, ERafinski@CentralStatesSER.org

McHenry and Lake Counties: George Manavalan, 847-623-3342, GManavalan@CentralStatesSER.org

Useful Link:  http://www.doleta.gov/seniors/