Recent News

State to honor “Outstanding Older Worker of 2024”

Media Contact:
Lisa Cox
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Missouri’s “Outstanding Older Worker of the Year” award program seeks to honor a Missouri resident who is 55 or older, employed at least 20 hours a week, and displays dependability and new skills on the job. Nominations are currently being accepted. The winner will be recognized at a ceremony during National Employ Older Workers Week in Jefferson City, held the last week of September. 

National Employ Older Workers Week is led by the U.S. Department of Labor and recognizes the vital role of older workers in the workforce. It aims to increase awareness of this labor segment and develop innovative strategies to tap it. It also showcases the Senior Community Service Employment Program.

Missouri’s Senior Community Service Employment Program recognizes the value of older workers in our workforce and provides job training for individuals aged 55 or older who wish to enter or reenter the workforce but need a little extra training to do so. The purpose of the program is to provide job skill training for the participants and to provide needed support to community host agencies, which consist of not-for-profit 501(c)(3) or governmental agencies. Host agencies benefit by having someone who is subsidized by the SCSEP program, helping them fill positions they could not afford to pay for on their own.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employers rate older workers high on characteristics such as judgment, commitment to quality, attendance and punctuality.

“Older workers are the backbone of the American workforce,” said Mindy Ulstad, the State of Missouri’s Senior Community Service Employment Program Director. “They bring deep experience, a strong work ethic and valuable institutional knowledge that benefits companies and colleagues alike. Celebrating older workers in the workforce is not just an act of appreciation; it's a recognition of the living archives of knowledge, experience and dedication that fortify the foundation of our organizations and inspire future generations.”

Nominations are being accepted through September 2, 2024, for the “Outstanding Older Worker of the Year.” Submissions should include a narrative description of why the individual should be chosen as the Outstanding Older Worker of the Year. Completed entry forms can be emailed to SCSEPEmployment@health.mo.gov or mailed to Missouri Outstanding Older Worker Contest, Bureau of Senior Programs, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO  65102-0570.

Senior Community Service Employment Program
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a U.S. Department of Labor funded job training program for persons 55 years of age and older who wish to enter the workforce and need extra training and job placement assistance. The purpose of the program is two-fold; to provide job skill training for the participants and to provide needed support to community host agencies, which consist of not-for-profit 501(c)(3)’s or governmental agencies. Host agencies benefit by having someone who is subsidized by the SCSEP program helping them fill positions they could not afford to pay for on their own. Individuals interested in learning more about obtaining a paid training assignment and 501(c)(3) or governmental agencies interested in serving as a host agency may contact the department for more information at 573-526-4542 or visit Missouri’s Senior Community Service Employment Program webpage.

###

PHOTO: Ardella Lack was named Missouri’s Outstanding Older Worker of the Year in 2023. She is pictured with Mindy Ulstad and Governor Mike Parson. 2023 event highlights: https://health.mo.gov/seniors/senioremployment/olderworker-2023.php