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Statement of Need: The 2006 Amendments to the Older Americans Act (OAA-2006) were enacted on October 17, 2006. The amendments instituted a number of significant changes to the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) including time limits on the participation of eligible individuals, new enrollment priorities, streamlined and strengthened performance measures, more training options for participants, new limits on participant fringe benefits, and required open competition of national grants every four years. The Department was required to implement the new performance measures by July 1, 2007 and published an Interim Final Rule on these requirements in the Federal Register on June 29, 2007 (72 FR 35832). However, SCSEP grantees were advised that they were responsible for complying with all the OAA-2006 changes as of July 1, 2007, as communicated in administrative guidance issued on June 11, 2007. Since OAA-2006 instituted so many significant changes in addition to those relating to performance accountability, it is important that regulations implementing the full requirements of the amendments be issued consistent with the identified timetable.

Summary of the Legal Basis: These regulations are authorized by 42 U.S.C. 3056 et seq. to implement amendments to the Older Americans Act of 1965.

Alternatives: The public was afforded an opportunity to provide comments on the SCSEP program changes when the Department published the Interim Final Rule (IFR) in the Federal Register. A Final Rule will be issued after analysis and incorporation of public comments to the IFR.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: Preliminary estimates of the anticipated costs of this regulatory action have not been determined at this time and will be determined at a later date.

Risks: This action does not affect public health, safety, or the environment.