PORTLAND, Ore. — Easterseals Oregon will lay off a dozen staff members due to "ongoing uncertainty" about the U.S. Department of Labor's job program for low-income, older adults, the nonprofit confirmed to KGW on Thursday.

The U.S. Department of Labor — the only federal workforce development program for older adults — has yet to release approximately $300 million in funds set aside for 2025 national grantees of the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). The program provides paid, part-time training to low-income, older adults who are seeking jobs.

"This delay, now well past the expected release timeline, has effectively frozen funding for the national program, leaving no option but to pause operations and reduce staffing," said President and CEO Kristen Rantz in an email

See Full Page