As a child, Fred Rogers famously asked his mother about scary stories on the news. Her wise counsel, amplified by her then-adult son, was: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
For 60 years, the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) has provided low-income older Americans with opportunities to learn new skills by working in community service roles. Since its inception, SCSEP has helped millions of unemployed people enter the workforce – people like Joyce Lindberg.
“If it wasn’t for SCSEP, I wouldn’t be where I’m at; I’d still be on disability,” Joyce says. “It shows that getting older doesn’t mean you are through living. There is still so much to offer.”
Becoming a Helper
In her new job, Joyce discovered that her passion was managed care: guiding older adults through the Medicaid waiver program, handling insurance billing, and providing Medicare counseling. She also started a program that supplies heaters, blankets, air conditioners, and fans to older adults who can’t afford them.
At a key moment in her life, Joyce found a helper in SCSEP. Now she’s become a helper herself, one of the many who have benefited from this work-based job training program.
But now, suddenly and without explanation, there’s a hold up
As of the 4th week in July 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor still had not released funds appropriated by Congress for SCSEP. These funds were due to be released on July 1 to train and place the 40,000+ older workers currently enrolled in SCSEP.
The Encore Network has sent a letter to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer urging her to release the funds designated for SCSEP.
Why is this important to The Encore Network?
As we all know, the workforce is increasingly reliant on older workers as falling birthrates, immigration limits, and deportation of foreign-born workers reduces the pool of talent available to employers. The only growing segment of the workforce is people over 50. The share of older workers has doubled over the past 30 years and will continue to grow as they both want and need to work longer.
Cutting funds designed to qualify people who are part of this growing workforce segment makes little sense by itself. But it also sends a harsh signal that the experience and potential of older workers more broadly is not recognized, appreciated, or valued.
As champions of the civic, social and economic contributions of people over 50, we believe it’s just as important to remove barriers and advance opportunities for low-wage workers as for professionals and others we more often engage as clients and participants in our programs.
What’s the problem here?
The funds withheld by DOL cover the cost of the minimum-wage earnings of SCSEP participants during a period of employment as well as training and placement services. Eligible participants work in community service assignments to acquire new skills, improve their experience, and qualify for permanent employment.
The decision to withhold these funds caused current participants to immediately and abruptly lose their incomes. This doesn’t just mean a lost job for these workers. It means a loss of hope and likely impoverishment for people who are making an honest effort to contribute. It also means that the ability to recruit new participants has been interrupted indefinitely.
The damage is underway
Across the country, SCSEP is administered by state governments as well as by organizations like the AARP Foundation, CWI Labs, National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA), National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA), Goodwill, National Council on Aging, and dozens of others.
In Oregon (notably the home state of Secretary Chavez-DeRemer), SCSEP is operated by Easterseals. Each EasterSeals job coach assists 40 SCSEP participants. That’s an enormous return on investment for the funds appropriated by Congress. Yet, those positions also are at risk, with many already furloughed or laid off, in programs across the U.S., because of the DOL decision.
“We remain committed to providing strength, stability, and better lives for seniors and veterans in need across Oregon,” said Easterseals Oregon CEO Kristen Rantz. “We are now eliminating access to more than 220 paid training positions for older workers. Abandoning these folks is not in our blood. For more than 78 years, we’ve provided life-changing programs for Oregonians. SCSEP empowers us to provide exceptional services and resources that make a tangible and positive impact on society. Veterans, mature job seekers, and their families – all need to feel included and valued and have equal opportunities to live, learn, work, and play in their communities.”
Take a Moment, Now, to Become a Helper
How can you be a helper in drawing attention to this funding pause and putting pressure on the Secretary of Labor to release SCSEP funds?
- Send a version of our letter to Secretary Chavez-DeRemer, or write your own, to urge her to release SCSEP funds.
- Write to your Senator or Representative to urge their support for release of SCSEP funds.
- Repurpose parts of this blog post to write an article for your newsletter or local paper, drawing attention to this issue.
- Write an op-ed for your local paper explaining the value of these funds in creating economic independence and financial security for unemployed, low-income older adults.
- Post info about SCSEP on social media, using the stories of people who have benefited, if possible.
We strongly encourage all Encore Network members and others to join us in pressing for the release of SCSEP funds. Be a helper and add your voice to the chorus of support for sustaining this important program for older workers.
By Andy Oden and Doug Dickson