References: Older Worker Bulletin 93-10, Eligibility of Amnestied Aliens; and Older Worker Bulletin 96-5, Minimum Eligibility Documentation Requirements. Background: Field Issuances recently disseminated revisions to the provisions for documentation of eligibility for participation in Job Training Partnership Act programs. These revisions apply to documentation of eligibility for SCSEP as well. The Field Issuances are attached for your information. Policy: SCSEP sponsors should inform local project operators that they should no longer accept the Numident printout for eligibility documentation purposes. Also, voter registration cards may no longer be used as documentation for U.S. citizen-ship, although they are acceptable as proof of residency.

References: Older Worker Bulletins 90-6, 90-12, 93-3, 93-11, 94-2, 96-2; the Older Americans Act (OAA), Subsections 506(c) and (d) and the SCSEP regulation at 20 CFR Section 641.201. Background: The Equitable Distribution Report (ETA 8705) provides a basis for determining the collective progress made by sponsors toward an equitable distribution of program positions. Although future action by the Congress is uncertain, there will still be a Department of Labor administered SCSEP program after July 1, 1997. As part of the planning process for the next grant period, sponsors must prepare an equitable distribution report. This requirement is found at section 506(c) of the OAA and 20 CFR Section 641.201(c) of the Federal Regulations. Procedures for completion of this year's report are similar to those used in previous years, except for the new requirement for a signature from each sponsor (see section 5.a.(3) below) and the suspension of the requirement for the submittal of the Comparative Characteristics Report for this year. Also, PLEASE REVIEW attachment I Special Notes. Attachment II provides instructions for completing the report. Reporting Procedures: The equitable distribution report should be prepared by using the diskette provided with OW Bulletin 93-11. The diskette contains the 1990 Census information and the format needed to prepare the report. The number of authorized positions must be updated for each State, however. To update the information, use the Program Year 1996 information for your State found in Attachment III, and the instructions found on page 100 of the user manual, SPONSOR SUPPORT SYSTEM version 1.3. Transmit the reports to the Division of Older Worker Programs. This year, the hard copy printed form is the preferred submittal document. Instructions for completing the hard copy of the Equitable Distribution Report are found in section 6 below. The report should be sent by March 21, 1997. Action: a. State SCSEP agencies are requested to: (1) Convene a meeting of all SCSEP program operators in their State to review the existing slot placement by county; (2) develop the sub-State distribution report of the present slot allocations. A vacant authorized position should be reported, but temporary positions should not. Compare the equitable county levels with the actual distribution and discuss how to bring about an improved distribution; (3) Obtain the signature of representatives of each sponsor operating in the State on the form or the transmittal letter. If a sponsor chooses not to sign, it must explain in writing why it did not and send a copy of this explanation to each sponsor and DOL. Equitable Distribution Reports which are unsigned are not acceptable. NOTE: If a signatory is unable to sign the form but is in agreement with it, it may send a letter indicating its agreement with the report. The letter can be used in lieu of the signature. (4) Submit the Equitable Distribution Report to: Division of Older Worker Programs (DOWP) U.S. Department of Labor 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Room N4641 Washington, D.C. 20210 b. National SCSEP Sponsors are requested to: (1) Designate representatives to attend State-convened equitable distribution meetings to provide existing and projected slot levels for use in reaching agreement on how to bring about more equitable levels by county; or (2) Convene the equitable distribution meeting and prepare the report in those cases where the national sponsor is delegated the responsibility for the Governor's SCSEP allocation. NOTE: Completion of the report should be a cooperative activity. All sponsors should put forth their best effort. Disagreements should be resolved locally through genuine communication and compromise. Format for the Equitable Distribution Report: The attached report form, ETA 8705, should be used for the Equitable Distribution Report. (See Attachment II). To complete the report, sponsors should follow the instructions which are also provided in Attachment II. Although form ETA 8705 should be used, it may be modified by adding pages or expanding or reducing the size of the columns and spaces. Distribution of SCSEP Resources: The OAA requires sponsors to seek an equitable distribution of program resources. Where necessary, redistributions should be made by relocation of vacant or new positions and through normal attrition. No enrollee should be terminated because of the equitable distribution requirement. When the grant applications are prepared for the next grant period, consideration must be given to the data contained in the Equitable Distribution Report. Technical Considerations: The census information was prepared for the Department from information supplied by the U.S. Census Bureau. The data is based on the 1990 census, and includes only those people who meet the statutory participant eligibility factors: individuals age 55 and over who have incomes at or below 125 percent of the poverty level. This information is found on the diskette that was sent to each sponsor with OW Bulletin 93-11. Information for Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, and the Virgin Islands is not on the diskette. The sponsors in these jurisdictions may use the best available information to complete the chart. Note: The data used for the report should be that supplied by the Department of Labor. If a state agency has updated data it wants to use, it should provide that information to the other sponsors and the DOL two weeks prior to the meeting. Schedule: Reports should be submitted to the DOWP, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room N-4641, Washington, D.C. 20210, by March 21, 1997.

Background: The SCSEP sponsors and State employment security agencies (SESAs), along with the American Legion, have traditionally provided the local leadership for celebrating "National Employ the Older Worker Week." The week provides the opportunity to focus on the many positive contributions that SCSEP enrollees have made in the past as well as the ones that they will make in the future. This year President Clinton has, for the second time, signed a proclamation for declaring "National Employ the Older Worker Week" to be March 9 through March 15, 1997, thereby demonstrating the Administration's commitment to the employment of older workers. Attached is a copy of the Proclamation. Under separate cover, you will receive posters prepared by the National Council on the Aging for the Department for National Employ the Older Worker Week. The Department encourages you to use these as you plan your activities to celebrate "National Employ the Older Worker Week." Actions Required: SCSEP sponsors should: a. Distribute copies of the attached Proclamation to their local offices and program sponsors so that it is received prior to March 9; b. Promote efforts to educate employers on the benefits of hiring, retraining and retaining older workers; c. Undertake efforts to recognize the contributions made by older workers; and to facilitate and promote their continued participation in the workforce, perhaps through Job Fairs, Older Worker luncheons, newspaper releases, and radio and TV broadcasts emphasizing the contributions of successful older workers; d. Coordinate with SESAs and their local offices, and with Job Training Partnership Act State liaisons, the Governor's office and other SCSEP sponsors to further foster community efforts to recognize, promote and celebrate older workers in the local communities; and e. Share examples of products developed and successful experiences which may be helpful to others in the future.

Reference: See Attachment. Background: This change was made to more accurately reflect the mission of this office and to eliminate any unfortunate misinterpretations associated with the terminology "special targeted." Actions Required: Please share the attached with interested parties.

Background: The Department of Health and Human Services published the updated Federal Poverty Income Guidelines on March 10, 1997. These guidelines are used to determine the income eligibility of SCSEP applicants and enrollees. These guidelines also apply to eligibility determinations made for joint Job Training Partnership Training Act-SCSEP projects and the Section 502(e) projects. Directive: The poverty income guidelines found in the attachment are effective from the date they were published in the Federal Register, March 10, 1997. Sponsors must use these income levels when making eligibility determinations and when preparing the SCSEP Quarterly Progress Report. Recision: Older Worker Bulletin No. 96-6.

References: Title V of the Older Americans Act (OAA), as amended, P.L. 100-175; P.L. 102-325; and the regulations at 20 CFR Part 641. Background: The Fiscal Year 1997 appropriation for the Title V program is $463 million. This amount includes $28 million which is being used to accommodate the first step of the minimum wage increase, and which was added to the PY 1996 grants. The remainder of the 1997 appropriation, $435 million, will be used for the PY 1997 grants. The 1997 Program Allotments: Attachment I provides the State funding levels and authorized positions. The unit cost used to compute the number of positions is $7,068. As provided for in the appropriations bill, the PY 1997 appropriation of $435 million is to be divided with 78 percent for national sponsors and 22 percent for State sponsors. Grant Application Procedures: Sponsors may apply by submitting the diskette provided with OW Bulletin 95-4 or by submitting the application in hard copy. As in previous years, only selected portions of the narrative are required. The Detailed Cost Breakout of the budget is not required. a. Preapplication. Sponsors must prepare the pre-application (SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance). (See Attachment II for preapplication instructions). All State and national sponsors must share preapplications on an intra-State basis. As required at OAA section 502(d)(1), Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) should be provided with a copy of the preapplication by the sponsors proposing to operate in their service areas. The preapplication should be accompanied by a letter requesting the State office and the AAA to forward their comments on the preapplication to the applicant and the Division of Older Worker Programs (DOWP). Where required, the SF-424 should be submitted through the intergovernmental clearance procedures. Sponsors should submit a copy of the preapplication to DOWP. b. Application. All SCSEP sponsors must prepare and submit an original and two (2) copies of a grant application to DOWP using the forms and instructions in Attachments II and III. Grant documents with photocopied signatures cannot be accepted as official. Sponsors using the diskette must send a signed copy of the grant signature sheet with the diskette. Grantees that need an original signature returned to them on their grant document should submit two grant signature sheets with original signatures. c. Contents of the Grant Application Package. The application consists of: (1.) A grant signature sheet; (2.) A narrative. (3.) A budget (the SF-424A with budget details); and (4.) For those sponsors that apply for a section 502(e) experimental project, the completion of an additional section of the application is required. Clearance Procedure: Applicants must comply with Executive Order 12372 which implements the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) System. Many SPOCs do not require the SCSEP sponsors to submit their applications for clearance. The comments from the SPOC review, if any, should be sent to: Division of Older Worker Programs 200 Constitution Avenue N.W., Room N-4641 Washington, D.C. 20210. Distribution of SCSEP Positions: In line with requirements for an equitable distribution of program positions, sponsors will be expected to decrease the number of positions which are in over-served areas and increase the number of positions which are in under-served areas. To locate positions, the most recent equitable distribution reports should be considered. All sponsors must work cooperatively to improve the distribution of program resources. Responsibility Review: The ETA will conduct a review to determine if the sponsor is capable of continuing to administer Federal funds. This review includes, but is not limited to, the following: outstanding debts; established fraud or criminal activity; grant closeout compliance; failure to correct deficiencies identified during a monitoring review; excess cash on hand; failure to return funds (see OW Bulletin 90-15); failure to have an audit, etc. (See 20 CFR Section 641.205.). When applicable, sponsors will be advised by letter of the Department's concerns. These letters will include any corrective action(s) specified as a funding condition, and a time frame for the completion of the corrective action. Sponsors that fail to remedy deficiencies will place their SCSEP sponsorship in jeopardy. Extension of The Current Grant: Sponsors that anticipate having funds available at the conclusion of the present grant period may apply for an extension. The extension may be up to 60 days. During the extension period, no administrative charges may be made against the current grant (PY 1996). All administrative charges must come from the new grant (PY 1997). To apply for an extension, submit the following documents: (a) One grant signature sheet with an original signature, and the new end date; (b) Generally, the extensions will not require a new budget, but, if a budget modification is required please provide revised budget information forms that reflect how the funds will be spent during the entire grant period; (c) Include a brief explanation of any program changes; and (d) National sponsors should mention in which States the unused funds will be spent. Experimental Projects: Instructions for experimental private sector projects that will be implemented under the authority of section 502(e) are included as Attachment IV. If an experimental project is proposed, sponsors are encouraged to include it with this application. (See 20 CFR 641.326.) The SCSEP Regulations: The final SCSEP Regulations of May 17, 1995 apply. If the Older Americans Act is reauthorized and implemented before the conclusion of the program year it may be necessary to make program and administrative adjustments. Performance Goals: Unsubsidized placements continue to be an important program service. During the last complete program year, over 16,500 SCSEP enrollees were placed in unsubsidized jobs. The program goal of placing 20 percent of the participants into unsubsidized jobs was exceeded nationally with a rate of nearly 26 percent. In addition the program performance indicator for persons served was in excess of the SCSEP program 40 percent customer service target level described in OW Bulletin 96-7. Sponsors should consider these goals when preparing the PY 1997 grant application. Action Required: All sponsors must comply with the following timetable: a. Extension requests are due by May 2. b. The preapplication is due at the State Office on Aging, the Area Agencies on Aging, and DOWP 45 days from the date of this bulletin. Early submittal is encouraged. c. The final application is due at DOWP 60 days after the date on this bulletin. The optional section 502(e) experimental projects may be submitted at this time, or later if agreed to by the Federal Representative. Please mail the preapplication and the final application to: The Division of Older Worker Programs ETA/ US Department of Labor/ Rm. N-4641 200 Constitution Ave, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20210 If a sponsor is not able to comply with the timetable, the Federal Representative should be contacted as soon as possible.

References: 20 CFR Section 641.305(d), 20 CFR Section 628.605, Older Worker Bulletins 94-1, 94-10 and 95-5.2 Background: The Division of Older Worker Programs (DOWP) considered a revision of income exclusion procedures in States that waive more than 25 percent of Social Security benefits (the current waiver level) when determining eligibility for JTPA activities. After considering comments from SCSEP sponsors and others, as well as reviewing the legislative intent, DOWP has decided to accept JTPA eligibility certifications for SCSEP purposes. Congressional Intent: Representative Matthew Martinez, author of the amendment to authorize joint SCSEP-JTPA enrollment, wrote to former Secretary Reich in April 1994, stating " . . . that our intention was to make interaction between Title V and JTPA as seamless as possible so that referrals from one program to another could take place on an as needed basis, without making participants go through the qualification process twice." By making JTPA certification acceptable for SCSEP enrollment there will be additional streamlining possibilities for the eligibility certification process and improved customer services. Policy: With the issuance of this bulletin, sponsors with joint SCSEP-JTPA agreements may accept for enrollment persons age 55 or better who have been certified eligible for participation under Title II of JTPA. This policy will enable joint JTPA-SCSEP projects to implement close coordination and provide equal access to services for everyone in a joint project. Moreover, we believe this policy is consistent with legislative intent. Action: Sponsors should utilize this policy when making enrollment eligibility determinations. When there is a joint SCSEP-JTPA agreement, a JTPA Title II-eligible participant age 55 or better may be enrolled in SCSEP with no further need for separate SCSEP eligibility determination and certification. When making selections of program participants, sponsors are reminded that enrollment preference must continue to be given to eligible persons with the greatest economic need. NOTE: Older Worker Bulletin 94-10 transmitted a copy of Training and Employment Guidance Letter No. 9-93 and enclosed a list of questions and answers about dual eligibility. The "answer" to question number 3 of the TEGL attachment should not be read to exclude eligibility certification by a JTPA Title II operator when there is a joint agreement.

Background: ETA has made available up to $ 2.5 million of Job Training Partnership Act funds to provide training and employment services to dislocated older workers. The demonstration is aimed at (1) identifying specific employment-related needs of persons age 50 or better, and (2) testing employment and retraining services that can effectively meet the employment needs of this group. Action: SCSEP sponsors are encouraged to review the attached SGA to determine whether they wish to participate in this competitive process.

Reference: Older Worker Bulletin 97-5. Background: The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and the Administration on Aging (AoA) have joined together to assure that the special contributions of older workers are acknowledged. Traditionally, the month of May has been designated as Older Americans Month. This year our theme is Caregiving: Compassion in Action. First proclaimed Senior Citizens Month by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, May was later designated Older Americans Month by President Jimmy Carter. During this month, for over 30 years, the AoA has taken the lead in our Nation's celebration of the accomplishments of mature persons in all fields. This year, ETA is joining together with AoA to cosponsor a special celebration. On March 7, the President signed the 1997 Proclamation for National Older Workers Employment Week. Many SCSEP sponsors and State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) were unable to use the Presidential Proclamation during the official week of March 9 - 15. Now, sponsors may wish to use the proclamation during the Older Americans Month celebration in activities initiated during National Older Workers Employment Week that continue stimulating the hiring of mature, experienced older workers. During the month of May, Americans celebrate the many accomplishments of mature persons in all fields. Included among those experienced workers are over 60,000 SCSEP participants nationwide. Although these exceptional people provide the bulk of their services to the community at large, many SCSEP workers demonstrate Compassion in Action by providing their expertise to the elderly in communities across the nation. Older Americans Month 1997 provides a great opportunity to focus on these and the many other positive contributions that SCSEP enrollees have made in the past as well as contributions they will continue to make in the future. The National Council on the Aging (NCOA) provided posters to the Department for National Older Workers Employment Week. Copies were distributed to you during March. If your organization needs additional copies of these posters, please contact NCOA at 202-479-1200. Actions Required: SCSEP sponsors should: a. Distribute copies of the attached Presidential Proclamation on National Older Workers Employment Week to local offices and program sponsors; b. Promote efforts to educate employers about the benefits of hiring, retraining and retaining mature workers; c. Undertake efforts to recognize the contributions made by mature workers; to facilitate and promote their continued participation in the workforce, e.g. through job fairs, older worker luncheons, news releases and radio and television public service announcements emphasizing the contributions of successful mature workers; d. Coordinate with State Employment Security Agency local offices, Job Training Partnership Act State Liaisons and Service Delivery Areas, the Governor's office and other SCSEP sponsors to further foster community efforts to recognize, promote and celebrate mature, experienced workers at the State and community levels; and e. Share successful experiences and examples of products developed that may be helpful to other programs.

Reference: Older Worker Bulletin 96-14. Background: OW Bulletin No. 96-14 provided information to SCSEP sponsors about ETA's Quality Initiatives, including Simply Better! Recently an internal memorandum was prepared that provides an update on the Simply Better! project. A copy of that update is attached for your information. Note that the first of a series of "Case Studies in Quality" is now available, and may be downloaded from the Simply Better! home page. Actions Required: Please share the attached with interested parties.