Background: The SCSEP sponsors and State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs), along with the American Legion, have traditionally provided the local leadership for celebrating National Older Workers Employment Week. The week provides the opportunity to focus on the many positive contributions that older workers in general, and SCSEP enrollees in particular, have made in the past as well as those that they will make in the future. This year, President Clinton has signed a Proclamation declaring National Older Workers Employment Week to be March 8 through March 14, 1998, again demonstrating the Administration s continued commitment to the employment of older workers. Prime Time Awards: Green Thumb, Inc., with participation of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging, will hold a "Prime Time Awards" ceremony at the White House Visitors Center on Thursday March 12, 1998 to honor outstanding achievements of older workers representing all fifty States and U.S. territories. During this awards ceremony Green Thumb will also honor America s oldest worker. The President's signed proclamation and posters prepared by Green Thumb for the Department, for National Older Workers Employment Week, will be sent to you under seperate cover. The Department encourages you to use these as you plan your activities to celebrate National Older Workers Employment Week. Action Required: SCSEP sponsors should: (A) Distribute copies of the attached Proclamation to their local offices and program sponsors so that they are received prior to March 8; (B) Promote efforts to educate employers on the benefits of hiring 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, e.g., 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, One-Stop career centers and with Job Training Partnership Act State Liaisons and Service Delivery Areas. The Governor s office and other SCSEP sponsors should work together to further foster community efforts to recognize, promote and celebrate older workers in the States and local communities; and (E) Share examples of products developed and successful experiences which may be helpful to others in the future. Inquiries: Questions should be directed to your Federal Representative at (202) 219-5904.

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Background: The Urban Institute was commissioned by former Assistant Secretary Barnicle to determine the policy implications for the workforce development community of the aging "Baby Boom" generation. Copies of the draft report and its Executive Summary have been widely circulated, and presentations on its content were made at each of the multi-regional conferences held late in 1997. Because of the relevance of the report's findings, the Department is arranging for workshop presentations by the Urban Institute at upcoming national conferences, and will be broadly disseminating the final report, a copy of which is attached for your information. Discussion: The huge generation of baby boomers -- now over 80 million strong -- is moving into middle age. Just as they have affected society during earlier stages of their life cycle, the aging of the baby boom generation has implications for many aspects of society and for many public policies and programs. The recently prepared report, conducted by Stacy Poulos and Demetra Nightingale of the Urban Institute, a non-profit, independent research organization in Washington, D.C., addresses how the nation s workforce development programs will be affected by the aging of the baby boomers. The sheer number of baby boomers means that as they age, their presence affects the characteristics of the entire population. When baby boomers began entering the workforce in the mid-1960s, they not only increased the size of the labor force, they also lowered the average age of workers. In 1980, the median age of workers was 34. Since then, baby boomers have gradually raised the average age of American workers. The median worker age in 1994 was 38 years, and by 2005, the median age will be about 41. The labor force will continue to age until about 2015, when the oldest baby boomers will begin to retire. By 2005, there will be about 55 million mature workers aged 45 or older, representing nearly 40 percent of the workforce. Low-Income Baby Boomers: In general, baby boomers have done better than any previous generation in terms of income and education. Some, however, especially younger baby boomers and those with relatively less education, are less well off. Most baby boomers were in their prime working years when the nation s economy shifted from one based on manufacturing to today s technology and service- based economy. The 9 million baby boomers who have not graduated from high school have had real inflation-adjusted incomes that are, on average, 12 percent lower than those for similarly educated persons in their parents generation. As these lower-income baby boomers age, the nation will see an increase in the number of poor aging adults. In 1995, there were about 8 million persons over 45 who were below poverty; by 2005, there will be about 10 million. The numbers and proportions of the aging poor -- "economically disadvantaged" as defined by the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) -- will increase dramatically. JTPA-Eligible Population: 1995: Age 34 and Under 40% Age 35 - 44 21% Age 45 and Over 40% 2005: Age 34 and under 34%* Age 35 - 44 20% Age 45 and Over 47% * Corrected -- typographical errors in the report result in incorrect narrative and display on pages ii and 33. Employment and Training Implications: Today, over 200,000 low-income mature workers over the age of 45 participate in one or more of the employment, training and retraining programs administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. About half of these workers are over age 65 and served by one of the two programs specifically for persons age 55 and over -- SCSEP, and the Section 204(d) older worker set-aside under Title II of JTPA. Poulos and Nightingale s analysis in The Aging Baby Boom: Implications for Employment and Training Programs explains that the increasing number of low-income mature workers means that the demands on all public employment and training programs will be affected. First, the population eligible for the general job training programs under JTPA will change. In 1995, about 11 percent of the participants in the regular JTPA programs were age 45 or older. If participation rates and the total scale of program funding remain unchanged, by 2005 about 20 percent of JTPA participants will be 45 or older. Second, current funding levels limit the number of persons who can be served by Department of Labor programs. Only about 3 percent of the disadvantaged workers age 45 and older are served today. As this population cohort is expected to increase by about 2 million by 2005, at current funding levels, the Department will only be able to serve an even smaller portion of those eligible. Exhibit III.6, found on page 37 of the report, displays older worker participation in major employment and training programs in Program Year 1995. Among other things, it shows that only relatively small numbers of mature workers were served in Title II-A of JTPA. As the Executive Summary makes clear: -- Only about 18,000 persons 45 and older were in Title IIA adult programs, which was about 11 percent of all Title IIA participants. Only about 2 percent of all IIA participants were 55 years of age or older. The overwhelming majority of mature workers in JTPA were under 55 . . . Given that older persons represent about 45 percent of the eligible population, this means that older workers in general (45 and older) have been substantially under represented in JTPA IIA adult progrms . . . With the present low participation of older workers in employment and training programs, and the fact that demographic projections show that this population is becoming a much larger component of both the overall workforce and the low-income eligible population, there is a clear need for workforce development practitioners to examine recruitment practices and service delivery designs to ensure that these are appropriate to the present and future populations that our programs are intended to serve. Future Directions: The demand for employment and training services by older workers will increase as the baby boom generation ages over the next 20 years. Current workforce development programs should begin now to prepare for the aging of their participants. The number of persons 45 and older in JTPA Title II-A could nearly double between 1995 and 2005, according to the Urban Institute projections. More persons will become eligible for special older worker employment and training programs as the baby boomers continue to age. Current funding levels for SCSEP permit service to only about 1 percent of the eligible population. A much smaller proportion would be served in future years if funding levels remain constant. Between 1995 and 2005, there will be 1.4 million more disadvantaged persons between the ages of 55 and 70, as well as an additional 1.3 million economically disadvantaged adults between the ages of 45 to 54. The report calls on policy makers to consider innovative ways to maximize the contributions and productive activity of the highly educated baby boom generation, e.g., encouraging more flexible combinations of work and retirement, promoting more voluntarism and community service, et.al. It may also be necessary to devise ways to increase the labor force participation rates of older workers in order to lessen the likelihood of labor shortages as baby boomers approach and pass traditional retirement ages. Actions Required: The Urban Institute's researchers have presented information of significant importance to the employment and training community. These insights should assist with your responses to the nation's changing work environment. In addition to the need for you to analyze the entire report to determine its impact on your programs, we encourage you to begin preliminary long range planning, program modifications and budgetary realignments in response to the factors highlighted in the report, particularly as they relate to the employment and training of people aged 55 and better. Further, your local projects should schedule activities to (1) promote the education of other workforce development practitioners and employers on the impact of this demographic wave on the labor market; (2) invite employer support for the utilization of older workers in their labor force; and (3) strive to change the stereotypical perceptions of older workers toward the more realistic view that they can be cost effective and valuable resources to the workplace, the community and society. Inquiries: Questions should be directed to your Federal Representative at (202) 219-5904.

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References: None Background: a. Several weeks ago, a grantee work group met in Phoenix, Arizona to discuss how to get all grantees "online," how to enhance the 401 program "Partnership Home Page," and how to implement a "paperless" grant process. Currently, the majority of Indian JTPA grantees (approximately 140) are now "online." To be classified as being "online" or an "Online Partner" a grantee must have electronic mail (e-mail) capability. b. It was agreed at this meeting that a major initiative is needed to get the remaining 40 plus grantees that are not yet hooked up (off-line) by the end of Program Year 1997--June 30, 1998. To assist with this initiative, the "Online Partners Campaign" will be implemented the week of March 9. Information: a. What is the "Online Partnership Campaign?" -- The campaign is a four-month (March to June) concentrated effort directed at those 401 grantees that do not have e-mail capability, to get them connected to an e-mail service. b. If we are not "online" (no e-mail capability), will we be contacted? -- Yes. Mr. Lonnie Mason, a contractor staff technician, will contact your JTPA program office to arrange for an appointment to discuss what DINAP can do to assist you with getting "online." Once an appointment has been set, Mr. Mason will provide you with a pre-survey instrument to be completed as fully as possible prior to the telephone appointment. It is critically important that these discussions be handled on an appointment basis in order to make the best use of everyone's time. c. If our JTPA program has e-mail capability but it is not on the attached e-mail list or has changed, what should we do? -- We would appreciate your contacting Mr. Mason as soon as possible at 1-800-452-2961 and provide him with your current e-mail address. d. How much does it cost each month to have e-mail capability? -- If your program chooses to use the Department of Labor supported e-mail system, there will be no cost to your program. e. Do we have to use the Department's e-mail supported system? -- No. You may use any e-mail supported system you select. For example, some grantees prefer to use America On Line, CompuServ, and other providers of e-mail services such as Earthlink, MindSpring, etc. These services require a monthly access fee and they also include access to the Internet. f. If we use the Department's e-mail system can we also get free access to the Internet? -- Yes you can. The Department through a contract with a private provider maintains a server that can be reached via a toll free 800 telephone number that enables access to the Internet for free. g. What if we don't have the right equipment or telephone lines? -- During your scheduled telephone appointment, Mr. Mason will discuss with you what equipment is needed to establish e-mail capability and enable access to the Internet. h. I've heard you need a special computer, special telephone line and a thing called a modem in order to establish e-mail capability. Is this true? -- Your program will most likely already have all the equipment and telephone line capacity that is required to establish e-mail capability. However, Mr. Mason will discuss with you a step-by-step assessment to determine what is needed to establish e-mail capability. i. If new equipment is required, I don't think our program can afford to purchase what might be needed. Does this mean we won't be able to get "online?" -- No. After all of the telephone appointments have been completed, DINAP will review the results and determine which grantees may require hardware assistance (computer, modem, etc). However, because we have very limited resources to assist with hardware support, a limited number of small programs might be offered a surplus (used) computer. Nothing fancy, but operable! j. Is it absolutely necessary for us to establish e- mail capability? -- Yes, eventually all grantees will be required to conduct their grant administrative requirements via the Internet, i.e., submission of plans and reports electronically. k. Will e-mail and Internet training be provided to grantees? -- Yes. Grantees attending any of the multi-region or national TAT conferences can sign-up to receive training on how to use e-mail, Windows 3.1 and 95, and access to the Internet. l. Will there be any "peer-to-peer" support or training provided? -- Yes. Several grantees have agreed to assist grantees in their area with becoming an "Online Partner." m. What do we need to do to request "peer-to-peer" assistance? -- Please inform Mr. Mason of your desire to receive "peer-to-peer" assistance. He will inform DINAP staff who will make the arrangements. n. It seems like becoming an "Online Partner" is important. -- Very important. If you would like to talk with a fellow grantee about the Information Technology Project (e-mail and Internet capability), please feel free to contact any of the following grantees that have volunteered to provide assistance: -- Mr. Elkton Richardson - Region IV, (919) 733-5998 -- Mr. Jeff Foster - Oklahoma, (405) 247-9711 -- Ms. Christine Molle - Region VII, (816) 471-4898 -- Mr. John Ortiz - Region VII, (316) 262-5221 -- Mr. Robert Kellam - Region IV, (904) 488-0730 -- Mr. John Hassan - Region III, (412) 782-4457 -- Mr. Don Eddy - Region IX, (520) 669-9211 -- Ms. Lorenda Sanchez - Region IX (916) 920-0285 -- Ms. Carol Peloza - Region X (206) 329-8700 -- Ms. Christine Noah, Oklahoma, (405) 656-2812 -- Mr. Kenneth Martinez, Region VI (214) 941-1050 Action Required: a. All grantees should review the attached "Online Partners" e-mail directory to ensure that your e-mail address is correct and current. If not listed or incorrect, please complete the "hard copy" update form and return to DINAP, or better yet, send your corrected and updated information via e-mail to dowdt@doleta.gov. b. Grantees not "online" are requested to establish an appointment with Mr. Mason to discuss what steps need to be taken to get your program "online," i.e., establish e-mail capability and Internet connectivity. Questions: Please direct all inquiries regarding this bulletin to your Federal Representatives. All technical questions on becoming an "Online Partner" should go to Mr. Lonnie Mason at 1-800-452-2961.

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Background: The Department of Health and Human Services published the updated Federal Poverty Income Guidelines on February 24, 1998. 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, February 24, 1998. Sponsors must use these income levels when making eligibility determinations and when preparing the SCSEP Quarterly Progress Report. Inquiries: Questions should be directed to your Federal Representative at (202) 219-5904.