Senior Community Service Employment Program (17.235)

 

Program

17.235 Senior Community Service Employment Program

 

Federal Agency

EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

 

Authorization

Older Americans Act of 1965, Title V, as amended, Public Law 106-501,114, Stat.2267; 42 U.S.C. 3001 note.

 

Program Number

17.235

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To provide, foster, and promote part-time work opportunities (usually 20 hours per week) in community service activities for unemployed low-income persons who are 55 years of age and older. To increase individual economic self-sufficiency through placement of increased numbers of persons into unsubsidized employment, maintaining the community service focus of the program (Section 502).

 

Types of Assistance

Formula Grants; Project Grants.

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Organizations which receive project grants may use the funds to create and pay for part-time community service job positions for persons age 55 and above whose income is at or below 125 percent of the poverty level. The individuals who are employed may be placed in work assignments at local service agencies (e.g., schools, hospitals, day care centers, park systems, etc.), or may be given work assignments in connection with community service projects. A portion of project funds may be used to provide participants with training, counseling, and other supportive services. No more than 13.5 percent of the Federal share of the project costs may be spent for administration. (If justified, a waiver to 15 percent may be provided by the Department of Labor.) Participants may not be employed in projects involving political activities, sectarian activities, nor may participants displace any employed worker or perform work which impairs existing contracts for service.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

The following types of organizations are eligible to receive project grants: (1) States; (2) public and private nonprofit institutions/organizations, other than political parties but including faith-based organizations; and (3) U.S. Territories.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Adults 55 years or older with a family income at or below 125 percent of the DHHS poverty level. Prospective participants must certify information relative to age and personal financial status which is needed to determine whether the individual is economically disadvantaged and program eligible.

Credentials/Documentation

Nonprofit institutions/organizations must be so designated under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure

The Division of Older Worker Programs will provide information concerning proper application, format and content. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular Nos. A-110 and A-102. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program by State and local governments. Governors must submit annual State Senior Employment Service Coordination Plans to the Secretary of Labor for approval, created with participation of aging organizations, area agencies on aging, workforce boards, SCSEP grantees, and other providers of employment services. Governors may comment on SCSEP grant proposals prior to their submission by the applicant, and make recommendations to the Secretary of Labor to improve the distribution of SCSEP services. National grantees serving older American Indians need not participate in developing the State plan, but must collaborate with the Secretary to develop a plan for services to all older American Indians (Section 503).

Award Procedure

Awards are made directly to eligible applicants by the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters for application deadlines.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Beginning July 1, 2002 new grants will be awarded for a three year period and with annual incremental funding.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

The statutory allocation formula (Section 506(a) of the Older Americans Act, P.L. 106-501) provides for the distribution of funds on the basis of a hold-harmless factor, the number of persons aged 55 and over residing in each State and the per capita income (PCI) in each State. The statistical sources used for fund allocation are: for the number of persons age 55 and over by State: Census P-25 Current Population Reports; and for the annual PCI by State: State and County Personal Income, Bureau of Economic Analysis. Below the State level, funds are distributed on the basis of persons over the age of 55 in poverty calculated from the number of persons age 55 or over who have incomes at or below 125 percent of the DHHS poverty guidelines and Census P-60 Current Population Reports. Project sponsors must provide or arrange through third parties at least 10 percent of the cost of the project. The sponsor share of cost may be contributed in cash or in-kind. This program has Maintenance of Effort requirements; see funding agency for further details.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Funding is provided annually. Beginning July 1, 2002 funds will be made available through grants of three program years. The program year runs from July 1 to June 30.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

(1) Quarterly Progress Reports, (2) Quarterly Financial Status Report, and (3) Annual Equitable Distribution Report. The allow ability of applicant organizational costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular Nos. A-87 for State and local governments, and A-122 for nonprofit organizations.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards shall have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

Normally to be retained by the grant or contract recipient for a 3-year period following the completion of the grant or contract.

 

Program Accomplishments

A level of 61,200 subsidized, part-time jobs were available for Program Year 2001. Approximately 100,000 people will be served in these positions in Program Year 2001 and for Program Year 2002 a similar number will be served. In a typical program year, 64 grant awards are made.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

16-0175-0-1-504.

Obligations

(Grants) Program operates on program year (PY) beginning July 1 and ending June 30. PY 01 $440,000,000; PY 02 est $440,000,000; and PY 03 est $445,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

In the current (typical) program year, grant awards ranged from $330,150 to $106,543,935. The average is not calculated.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

20 CFR 641.

 

Related Programs

17.258, WIA Adult Program.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Not applicable.

Headquarters Office

Division of Older Worker Programs, Office of Adult Services, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-5306, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 693-3842. Fax: (202) 693-3817.

Web Site Address

http://wdsc.doleta.gov/seniors/

 

Examples of Funded Projects

The Employment and Training Administration makes grant awards available to 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam and Virgin Islands along with nine national nonprofit organizations and the U.S. Forest Service. A variety of organizational arrangements are used to administer the SCSEP projects. Many of the sponsors have contractual relationships and agreements with government and nonprofit organizations. In many cases the SCSEP program is operated by the State aging agency and within sub-State areas by area agencies on aging. Some of the national sponsoring organizations administer the SCSEP local projects directly through their affiliates, while others subgrant funds to local agencies. Each local project is required to coordinate its activities with local WIA projects, the State employment service, and the State Office of the Aging. Most of the projects operated under the auspices of the SCSEP provide service through host agencies to the community at large or to the elderly community. Some of the activities have included transportation for the elderly, serving the community as librarians, teachers aides, nutritional aides, etc. Transition to unsubsidized employment of participants is another service of the SCSEP.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The Department annually renews grant agreements. There are no plans to add additional organizations.