National Asian Pacific Center on Aging

NAPCA is one of 19 national grantees for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), a federally funded initiative administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. SCSEP is the only federal workforce program specifically designed to support low-income adults aged 55 and older. The program helps older adults re-enter the workforce by offering paid, part-time, community service-based training opportunities at local nonprofit and public agencies. SCSEP participants gain valuable on-the-job experience, build confidence, enhance employment skills, and receive job search assistance while earning a subsidized wage based on the highest applicable minimum wage in their local area. Training assignments are tailored to each participants goals, interests, and abilities, and typically include placements in libraries, senior centers, food banks, schools, and social service organizations. During FY2025 (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025), NAPCA provided community service training and employment support to 1,018 low-income older adults in 60 counties across 9 states. Participants often face multiple barriers to employment, including limited English proficiency, low literacy, long-term unemployment, and disability. NAPCAs culturally and linguistically responsive approach ensures that services are accessible and effective for the diverse older adult communities it serves. The programs ultimate goal is to help participants secure unsubsidized employment and achieve greater economic self-sufficiency, while also strengthening community-based organizations through the valuable contributions of older workers.

NAPCA operates the Senior Environmental Employment (SEE) Program through grant/cooperative agreements awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency. The purpose of the SEE program is to provide an opportunity for retired and unemployed Americans age 55 and over to share their expertise with U.S. EPA, remaining active using their matured skills in meaningful tasks that support a wide variety of federal, state, and local environmental programs. This provides vital support to the mission and goals of the EPA. The assignments range from general administrative to analytical and technical positions such as records, data and information specialists, laboratory and technical assistants and professional level positions. In FY2025, NAPCA worked with approximately 122 SEE enrollees to support their positions in 11 states in the US and the District of Columbia.