Page 2 - Success Story Newsletter_ 2019o

Making Strides in Washington

Advocacy,

to change "what is" into "what should be"

- Anonymous

Easterseals New Jersey CEO Highlights Importance of SCSEP During Leadership Meeting

Easterseals New Jersey CEO Brian Fitzgerald advocated for Easterseals and older worker training
(Senior Community Service Employment Program - SCSEP) with the Chairs of the U.S. House
Committee (Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia) and Subcommittee (Rep. Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon)
responsible for reauthorizing the Older Americans Act (OAA) in May 2019. The OAA authorizes and
establishes funding levels for SCSEP and other senior services utilized by Easterseals affiliates around
the country.

Brian spoke about the negative impact that stagnant funding has had in serving older workers. As
a result of Easterseals’ advocacy, funding was reinstated and at higher than previous levels. The
committee recognized the valuable contributions made by mature workers and the struggles they
experience when attempting to reenter the workforce. With the help of the SCSEP program, mature
workers will be empowered to seek additional employment training and assisted with their job search.

Easterseals was one of only nine national organizations invited to the OAA discussion with the House
Committee and Subcommittee leadership.

Follow us on social, @eastersealsnj!

2 Easterseals New Jersey Success Story Newsletter 2019 LIVE · LEARN · WORK · PLAY