ORCID

Halvorsen, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9184-633X

Language

English (en)

Publication Date

2022

Summary

The federal Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) provides on-the-job training to people 55 years and older with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level with multiple barriers to employment. This study examined the processes by which SCSEP may influence participant financial, physical, and mental well-being. We engaged 15 SCSEP participants and case managers over four virtual and one telephone session using a participatory research method called community-based system dynamics. Activities included identifying key problem trends, variable elicitation, developing a causal map, and identifying changes to the system to increase participant well-being. Respondents identified how individual, organizational, and program and policy factors relate to participant well-being (e.g., SCSEP participation reduces social isolation, which increases desire to participate) and suggested program and policy recommendations to strengthen SCSEP (e.g., benchmarks of success should include health and well-being outcomes). These findings highlight the benefits and potential of this long-running program.

Document Type

Article

Comments

Originally Published In: Halvorsen, C. J., Werner, K., McColloch, E., & Yulikova, O. (2022). How the Senior Community Service Employment Program Influences Participant Well-Being: A Participatory Research Approach With Program Recommendations. Research on Aging, 45(1), 77-91. https://doi.org/10.1177/01640275221098613 (Original work published 2023)

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