Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Department of Community and Cultural Affairs (DCCA) received a $339,195 Project Grant award effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, from the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration to administer the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP, CFDA 17.235). Under this award, DCCA will provide part-time community service employment opportunities at nonprofit organizations and public agencies for low-income individuals aged 55 and older with household incomes at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty level. Participants will work at minimum wage while receiving comprehensive supportive services including on-the-job training, individual employment planning, and classroom and occupational skills training designed to facilitate their transition into unsubsidized employment.

DCCA is authorized to sub-award portions of the grant to local nonprofit organizations and community agencies to expand service delivery across the Northern Mariana Islands. Grant recipients must meet established core performance measures including aggregate community service employment hours, rates of unsubsidized employment placement at six and twelve months post-exit, median earnings outcomes for employed participants, and indicators of effectiveness in serving employers and host agencies. The award requires compliance with administrative cost limitations and mandates that at least 75 percent of federal funds support participant wages and benefits.