DHSS Press Release |
Date: September 22, 2003 DHSS-96-2003 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Allison Taylor Levine, Communication Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 |
Contact: Allison Taylor Levine Phone: (302) 255-9037 Pager: (302) 247-8523 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DELAWAREANS TO BE HONORED DURING OLDER WORKER EMPLOYMENT WEEK
Six older Delawareans and three employers to be recognized Thursday
Delaware Health and Social Services' Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD) will honor six older Delawareans and three employers Sept. 25, as part of the celebration of National Employ Older Workers Week, Sept. 21-27.
DSAAPD's Acting Director Allan R. Zaback will honor the individuals and the employers Thursday morning at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover, East Longwood Ballroom, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Members of the media are invited to attend.
Being honored as Outstanding Older Workers are:
- Anna Case, New Castle County;
- Mildred Jerry, Kent County; and
- Marie Higley, Sussex County.
Being recognized as Oldest Participants Honored in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) are:
- Edward McGovern, New Castle County;
- Louise Conquest, Kent County; and
- Julius Frazier, Sussex County.
Being honored as Outstanding Employers of Older Workers are:
- Financial Assistance Information Theocentric Help Center (F.A.I.T.H. Center, Inc.) in New Castle County;
- Home Instead Senior Care in Kent County; and
- Johnny Janosik, Inc. in Sussex County.
The honorees are participants in the SCSEP, a part-time employment program for low-income persons age 55 or over. The program is federally funded through the Older Americans Act. Program participants work at community and government agencies, as well as for-profit businesses. They are paid at the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher. In addition to gaining on-the-job experience, enrollees attend workshop training and receive employment guidance. They use their participation as a bridge to other employment positions that are not supported with federal funds. The program is administered in Delaware by DSAAPD through contracts with the Wilmington Senior Center in New Castle County, the Modern Maturity Center in Kent County and the First State Community Action Agency in Sussex County.
In Delaware, approximately 70 percent of all seniors 55 and older are contributing to the common good by working as paid employees or volunteers. Nationwide, older workers help our society to flourish by contributing their accumulated wisdom, experience and insight. The federal government and the State of Delaware are striving to encourage and support employers to hire mature workers by making employers aware of the fact that older workers are a valuable resource to our economy and represent a stable and productive workforce.
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
