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Senior Community Service Employment Program
The Senior Community Services Employment Program (SCSEP) is available to men and women, ages 55 years and older, who are unemployed, meet established low-income guidelines and desire an opportunity for training and employment. Individuals are given a training assignment that most closely matches their personal goals for employment. Training assignments are coordinated with non-profit or government agencies, also known as "Host Agencies" and are for 20 hours per week, at the established minimum wage hourly rate, currently $7.25 Applicants are not required to have previous work experience.
SCSEP provides subsidized training and employment for a period of up to two years. The goal of the program is to help older workers to develop workplace skills which will enable them to attain permanent, unsubsidized employment, either with their Host Agencies, or with other non-profit, government or private sector employers.
Participants are hired by a variety of employers including schools, physicians, health care agencies, hospitals, custodial and maintenance service industries, senior service providers, administrative and management offices, retail merchants, and transportation, security and technology companies.
The assets of older workers are increasingly being recognized by employers. These assets include a strong work ethic, high productivity, extensive life experience, and low absenteeism and turnover rates. The Senior Employment Program is actively recruiting new participants as well as new Host Agencies.
SCSEP is authorized under Title V of the Older Americans Act. The Maryland Department of Aging administers the Program in the following jurisdictions: Baltimore City, Allegany, Calvert, Caroline, Charles, Garrett, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Talbot, and Washington Counties. Referrals to sponsors in other counties are available.
OLDER WORKERS ARE GOOD FOR BUSINESS
The Maryland Department of Aging is interested in establishing contacts with more Maryland employers to assess their current and future staffing needs and discuss ways to integrate older workers into their hiring mix. Interested employers can take advantage of the On-the-Job Experience (OJE) Incentive Program in support of hiring older worker Participants.
To participate as an Employer with an older worker in the Employer Incentive process, an eligible Senior Community Services Employment Participant will be (1) carefully screened for an OJE to meet the Employer’s specifications for a particular position, (2) interviewed by the Employer and (3) hired by the Employer at the beginning of the Training Period. Upon successful completion of the OJE, the Employer will be reimbursed a percentage of the Participant’s hourly wage for a designated Training Period as follows:
- 100% of hourly wages for Training Periods up to 4 weeks, or
- 50% of hourly wages for Training Periods up to 12 weeks.
The Maryland Department of Aging is committed to promoting the employment of older workers. Many Maryland employers are hiring older workers as part of their regular recruitment effort. However, as the median age of the workforce increases over the next decade, more employers will need to utilize the skills, experience and talents of older workers. Employers wishing to learn more about the OJE Incentive Program, please fill out the Mail Response Form
Maryland's One-Stop Career Centers
Maryland One-Stop Career Centers are located throughout Maryland to serve businesses and job seekers. Use the County directory below to find the Center nearest you.
Let your Maryland One-Stop Career Center help you find the job or the employee you want. Maryland One-Stop Career Centers are located in each of Maryland's counties and Baltimore City. Job seekers and businesses will find the Maryland One-Stop Career Centers leaders in using state-of-the-art technologies to match people with jobs and jobs with people. Simply click the county of your choice to find out more information about services that help meet your employment needs.
AARP Foundation Women’s Scholarship Program
The AARP Foundation's Women's Scholarship Program provides scholarship funds to women 40+ seeking new job skills, training, and educational opportunities to support themselves and their families. The AARP Foundation Women's Scholarship Program is available to eligible individuals with moderate to lower incomes and limited financial resources.
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible for the scholarships, applicants must be:
- Women.
- Age 40 or over by March 31, 2010.
- U.S. Citizens
- Able to demonstrate financial need
- Enrolled in an accredited school or technical program in the U.S., within 6 months of the scholarship award date.
Who funds the Women's Scholarship Program?
The scholarship program is made possible by a donation from AARP to the AARP Foundation, the organization's affiliated charity, with generous support from Wal-Mart and the Women's Leadership Circle Cabinet. For more information about the AARP Foundation, please visit their web site.