JCA Insights, February 2025

A Word From Shane

Life can change in an instant—health issues, disabilities, or job obsolescence can lead to unemployment. JCA’s Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) provides low-income, unemployed older adults with training to help bridge back to employment.

Through SCSEP jobseekers sharpen their skills, receive training, and work in the community at local nonprofits and government agencies. The goal is to build the skills and confidence needed for employment.

However, SCSEP faces a threat. The Older Americans Act (OAA) needs reauthorization. Despite bipartisan support, funding is not assured and may be targeted for cost savings.

SCSEP is the only federal jobs program focused on older workers. Losing SCSEP would mean more older adults lacking financial security and the ability to contribute to our community. Multigenerational workforces are the most successful, and organizations would lose the invaluable skills older workers bring.

Help keep our older workers employed. Support SCSEP by advocating for the Older Americans Act. Ensure older adults can work, contribute, and thrive in our communities. Your voice can make a difference. Without federal support, JCA’s SCSEP program may end on June 30th.

– Shane Rock, JCA CEO

The Gorlitz Kensington Clubs has been accepted by The Arc Montgomery County’s Respite Coordination program as an approved respite consortium provider. Through the program, care partners can earn up to 140 hours of respite care which can be used at the Kensington Clubs. Respite is funded primarily through a contract with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. Learn more about respite programs, at the Respite Resource & Health Fair on Saturday, April 5.

The Heyman Interages® Center has once again been designated as an intergenerational Program of Distinction by Generations United. The stated mission of Generations United is to improve the lives of children, youth, and older people through intergenerational collaboration, public policies, and programs for the enduring benefit of all. Generations United’s Program of Distinction designation serves as the U.S. benchmark for intergenerational programs and is based on the criteria that underpin the

effectiveness of high-quality intergenerational programs. This recognition puts Interages in an elite class as a program recognized with a designation of this stature.

Marti Bailey

The second Monday of each month, the Kensington Clubs presents an interactive virtual Caregiver Coping program, Choosing the Right Residential Care for Your Loved One Living with Cognitive Change. The program is open to all caregivers and anyone who would like to learn more about coping strategies and resources.

On March 10, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. the Caregiver Coping speaker will be Marti Bailey, Managing Partner for Support for Aging, LLC.

Ms. Bailey was previously the director of the Sibley Senior Association and Community Health at Sibley Memorial/Johns Hopkins. She also has certifications as a senior advisor, dementia practitioner, and an Alzheimer’s and dementia care trainer. She designed the Club Memory® program at Sibley providing a novel approach to engagement and support for persons/families living with cognitive changes.

The presentation will explore the variety of residential care options and what each community offers. Participants will learn the differences in care types and levels and how to assess their loved one’s current and future care needs. This will help them develop personalized priorities for selecting the best community. There will be time for Q and A. RSVP for Zoom link.

Longevity Ready Maryland Spotlights JCA’s Employment Programs

Longevity Ready Maryland’s (LRM) newsletter, Reach, featured JCA’s employment programs in an article about opportunities for older adults. LRM is the Maryland Department of Aging’s 10-year multisector plan that will prepare Maryland to effectively address the challenges and maximize the benefits and opportunities of an aging society.

Jodie Rasch, Director of Employment Programs, is quoted, “We need these programs to burst those

Herbertia Gilmore

stereotypes and really show that the 50 and better are such a capable age group. Our state, our counties, our jurisdictions need to recognize the significance of what older workers bring to the workforce.”

Herbertia Gilmore, a Career Gateway graduate, credits JCA with helping her recognize that she was standing in her own way as she planned her reentry into the workforce. When asked about age-related bias, she confessed, “Yes, it’s pervasive. It’s an issue. But it’s not just by the employers. It’s also by the job seekers.” With the help of a JCA mentor, Gilmore was able to break down her own internal biases and better assess her value to potential employers. After graduating, she was hired as a Title IX Training Manager for a prominent HBCU.

Recently Herbertia wrote to the Career Gateway team, “I’m thrilled to share that I’ve accepted a new position as a Senior Organizational Effectiveness and Leadership Specialist with Howard’s HR Department, starting March 10th. A huge thank you for your support, subject matter expertise, positive energy and encouragement throughout this journey. Your wisdom and guidance has been invaluable in helping me pursue my career aspirations, and I truly appreciate each of you! This role positions me to support Howard’s employees and the community it supports at a critical time in our country’s history and ALL (not just people of color) who are acutely impacted by the political changes that are happening now. I’m so grateful for JCA…. The Gateway Program.” Read the full article to learn more.

Over six weeks, middle and high school students spent time getting to know their Kensington Clubs partners and rehearsing beautiful music with the L’Chaim Chorale. On Sunday, February 23, a high school pianist, high school guitarist and middle school flutist contributed to the glorious music at the chorale concert. Almost 100 audience members waved scarves and raised their voices in song during the sing-along portion. Kensington Clubs and Interages staff worked in tight partnership to make it all possible.

Montgomery County Public Libraries is collaborating with the Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA) Heyman Interages Center for Read Across America Week, which this year is from March 2nd to 7th, 2025.

The JCA and MCPL invite families with children of all ages to join us to share in their love of books. Events for this year’s Read Across America:

In February, the JCA blog highlighted the role of caregivers, in recognition of National Caregivers Day (Feb. 21). These unsung heroes devote their time, energy, and resources to care for their loved ones, often without compensation. A series of videos from the Family Caregiver Alliance demonstrated how caregivers can manage their family member or friend’s medications. The Family Caregiver Alliance has many resources and is well worth reading and bookmarking.

Caregiver stress and coping strategies were address by an article from The Alzheimer’s Association. A report from NBC News revealed that the number of people living with dementia will increase as our population lives longer. An article from the National Council on Aging outlined how Medicare will provide in-home nursing care.

On the topic of finances, the blog shared an article from the Beacon with tax strategies to help your savings last. And as tax season approaches, be on the lookout for scams that often target older adults.

If you are a caregiver for an older adult, or you know one, check out the KC Blog as well.

Floyd & Elaine Abramson, to the Larry M. Joseph Memorial Endowment Fund, in memory of Larry Sepin
Dan Binstock, to Kensington Clubs Kesher Café, in honor of Lynn Fanaroff
Howard & Nancy Cooper in memory of Norma Silberberg
Mitchell Glassman in memory of Harlan Rock
Colleen Kemp, to Kensington Clubs, in honor of Dena Baker, Cecily Nabors, Bonnie Endick, Sharlene Shugarman, and Mona Janis

Ellen Leahey, to Kensington Clubs, in memory of Mom and Dad
Donald Siegel, to Kensington Clubs, in memory of Betty Siegel
Elaine Waldstreicher in memory of Jenie Neustadt
Marjorie & Robert Winick in memory of Edward Sondik
Rivka Yerushalmi, to Kensington Clubs, in memory of Helen Abrahams