Senior Employment
The United States Department of Labor recognizes the contribution of older workers each year during the last full week of September. Missouri is participating in National Employ Older Workers Week by awarding our own Older Workers of the Year!
If you know someone 55 or older who works at least 20 hours per week and is an excellent employee, please complete the nomination form. During the last week of September, Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services will host an awards ceremony in the State Capitol to honor Missouri’s Older Worker of the Year!
- Missouri’s Older Worker of the Year Nomination Form
- Photo Release
- Senior Community Service Employment Program Map by County
- Senior Community Service Employment State Plan for 2024-2027
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. Program participants are provided an average of 20 hours per week of paid training.
To be eligible, potential participants must be: age 55 or over; unemployed at the time of the application; and cannot have income that exceeds 125% of the current federal poverty level. Income that is excluded for purposes of the SCSEP program includes: Social Security Disability Income; 25% of Social Security Income; unemployment benefits; SNAP (food stamp) benefits; housing benefits and certain payments to veterans. Some benefits are also excluded from being considered income for the purposes of eligibility.
Priority enrollment in the program is given to veterans and qualified spouses, and then to persons: over age 65; with low literacy or limited English proficiency; with a disability; residing in rural areas; who are homeless or at risk of homelessness; have low employment prospects; individuals who had been incarcerated in the past five years; or have failed to find employment after using services through the American Job Center System.
SCSEP is available in many counties throughout the state of Missouri. All participants are provided an Individual Employment Plan to define their employment goals and the steps needed to reach those goals. This plan is updated every six months to reassess the skills and goals of each participant. While in the SCSEP program, participants are offered an annual health screening, training focused on job skills and are provided with supportive services such as assistance with benefit applications and access to local resources to help meet their basic needs. The goal is to help participants become job ready while they are learning new skills, thus making them ready for employment.
Low-Income seniors interested in 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.
The total cost of the Missouri SCSEP program is $2,185,131.00. $1,966,461.00 (90%) is funded through a U.S. Department of Labor grant. The other $218,670.00 (10%) is funded through non-Federal resources.
Resources for Older Workers
Today, employment looks very different for people as they age. When once, adults had a set date for retirement, there are many options now. Many adults find that they aren’t ready to retire at age 60, 65, or even 70. People are living longer and have the desire and are able to work longer than in the past. The Bureau of Senior Programs shares resources and information for employers and potential employees surrounding hiring older workers.
2023 Older Worker Awards
SCSEP Host Agency of the Year
Peace Pantry first joined the SCSEP program in 2017. The organization is a hub of resources in the Jefferson County community, providing a food pantry and thrift store, but also assists community members with accessing resources for affordable internet, rent assistance, food stamps, affordable car repair, and more. Supervisors at the pantry work closely with SCCEP participants to assist them in developing skills that will enable them to secure unsubsidized employment. Peace Pantry respects the values and goals of the SCSEP program and has hired two of the SCSEP participants, providing them with unsubsidized employment. Peace Pantry was nominated by Constance McCord.
SCSEP Participant of the Year
Renee Davidson entered the SCSEP program in 2018 and is receiving on-the-job training with the St. Louis Area Agency on Aging. Nominator Jamie Saunders said, “Renee goes the extra mile every day but is particularly helpful when we are in crisis mode.” Davidson has received training to answer the phones for the area agency on aging and answers an average of 300 of the agency’s 1,000 calls each month. She shows great attention to detail and follows up to make sure that clients receive the assistance they need. St. Louis Area Agency on Aging values the skills and work ethic that Davidson brings to the position.
Older Worker of the Year
Ardella Lack was named Missouri’s Outstanding Older Worker of the Year. Working at the Dade County Health Department, Lack, 86, still works 2 ½ days a week in the same program she has worked in for more than 35 years. Administrator Pamela Cramer nominated Lack, stating, “She is the best. During COVID, she was by my side, working 5 to 6 days a week or whatever was needed. She always comes up with new ideas to better serve the community and is involved in helping the community any way she can.”
2024 Older Worker Awards
SCSEP Host Agency of the Year
Julian David Library recently joined the SCSEP program in February 2024. The organization is a branch of the St. Louis Public Library, offering not only books, but also meeting rooms, access electronic materials, WiFi, computers, and printing. Located in the heart of St. Louis, Julia Davis Library is connected to the public transit system and offers curbside pickup service for convenience to patrons. Supervisors at the library work with SCSEP participants to assist them in developing skills that will enable them to secure unsubsidized employment. SCSEP participants share that the staff is very helpful and flexible in training. Julia Davis Library was nominated by SCSEP participants Denise Moore and Valerie White.
SCSEP Participant of the Year
Beverly Hansen entered the SCSEP program in August 2023 and is receiving on-the-job training with the Aging Ahead—Union Senior Center. Senior center administrator Lora Smurphat nominated Hansen. Smurphat said, “Beverly has become a valuable addition to our team at the Union Senior Center. She greets our guests as they come in, helps them to fill out any needed paperwork and to get checked in. She has learned a lot about our program and processes, helps to answer questions, both on the phone and in person.”
Older Worker of the Year
Jane King was named Missouri’s Outstanding Older Worker of the Year. Starting as a volunteer at Laurie Care Center and The Knolls in 2018, King led games such as bowling and ring toss. During the shutdown caused by COVID-19, King began work as a permanent employee in the activity department. Now, she leads activities for the Memory Care unit, as well as a host of other responsibilities such as delivering mail, creating the activities calendar for the memory care unit, helping serve meals, and organizing the recycling program. Activities Director, and award nominator, Caren Talbert-Cho stated, “In my years of working as her supervisor, I have never heard her tell anyone, “That isn’t my job,” or walk away from someone without trying to make their day better and brighter.”