About the Study

In 2021, the Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) partnered with the Employment Training Administration and funded the Urban Institute and its partner Capital Research Corporation to conduct the Older Workers Study. This study will build evidence about the implementation of the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), and other DOL workforce programs serving older workers (defined as age 55+), to inform the continuous improvement of SCSEP.

The SCSEP is a community service and work-based job training program for older Americans. The program provides training for low-income, unemployed seniors and provides participants access to employment-based assistance through American Job Centers. Participants must be at least 55, unemployed, and have a family income of no more than 125% of the federal poverty level. SCSEP grantees include state agencies and 19 national nonprofit organizations.

This Department of Labor-funded study was a result of the annual process to determine the Department’s research priorities for the upcoming year. It contributes to the labor evidence-base to inform employment and training programs and policies and addresses Departmental strategic goals and priorities.

Download the summary

 

Project Duration: 60 Months

Contract End Date: June 2026

Contractor: Urban Institute

For More Information: ChiefEvaluationOffice@dol.gov

 

The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) sponsors independent evaluations and research, primarily conducted by external, third-party contractors in accordance with the Department of Labor Evaluation Policy. CEO’s research development process includes extensive technical review at the design, data collection and analysis stage, including: external contractor review and OMB review and approval of data collection methods and instruments per the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), Institutional Review Board (IRB) review to ensure studies adhere to the highest ethical standards, review by academic peers (e.g., Technical Working Groups), and inputs from relevant DOL agency and program officials and CEO technical staff. Final reports undergo an additional independent expert technical review and a review for Section 508 compliance prior to publication. The resulting reports represent findings from this independent research and do not represent DOL positions or policies.