Job Training and so Much More for Low-Income Older Adults: The Senior Community Service Employment Program

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cal J. Halvorsen ◽  
Olga Yulikova
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Community Service ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Job Training ◽  
Employment Program ◽  
Service Employment

scholarly journals Empowering Through Education: Understanding Financial Well-Being Among Low-Income Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 732-732
Author(s):  
Sara Powers ◽  
Sonya Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Financial Education ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Financial Situation ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Financial Exploitation ◽  
Education Workshop ◽  
Service Employment

Abstract Recognizing the need for and importance of financial capability education among low-income older adults, the non-profit agency, Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People (ESOP), implemented an 11-part financial education workshop series with a sample of older adults enrolled in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). Over the course of 10-months, participants attended workshops that covered an array of topics (e.g., budgeting and goal setting, avoiding financial exploitation) and completed a variety of measures aimed at understanding their financial situation and well-being (e.g., CFPB Financial Well-Being Scale, Financial Shocks, Material Hardship, Financial Skill). Results indicated that financial well-being scores significantly increased from the beginning of the workshop series (M=54.49, SD=7.23) to the end (M=58.10, SD=8.10); t(48) = 3.66, p=.001. Discussion will offer insights into the subjective financial experiences of low-income older adults who were actively trying to seek and gain permanent employment to improve their financial situation.

scholarly journals A Community-Based System Dynamics Study of the Senior Community Service Employment Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 25-25
Author(s):  
Cal Halvorsen ◽  
Kelsey Werner ◽  
Elizabeth McColloch
Keyword(s):  
System Dynamics ◽  
Community Service ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Case Managers ◽  
Workforce Training ◽  
Poverty Level ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Employment Program ◽  
Service Employment

Abstract The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the only federal workforce-training program that targets older adults, engages people aged 55 years and older with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level with multiple barriers to employment. This study examined SCSEP’s role in participant financial, physical, and mental well-being. To do so, we held five sessions (four virtual, one telephone) over a combined nine hours in August and September 2020 using a form of participatory research called community-based system dynamics with 15 Massachusetts SCSEP participants and case managers. Through structured activities, respondents identified how program, policy, and organizational factors influence and are influenced by participant well-being (e.g., SCSEP participation results in less social isolation, decreased isolation subsequently increases desire to participate) as well as program and policy recommendations to strengthen the program (e.g., reconsider benchmarks of success). These findings highlight the benefits and potential of this long-running program.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document