TO: ALL SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (SCSEP) SPONSORS

SUBJECT: Narrative Portion of the Quarterly Progress Report (QPR)

1. Purpose. To stress the importance of completing the narrative section of the QPR.

2. References. SCSEP regulations at 20 CFR Sec. 641.409 and Older Worker Bulletin 78-8.

3. Background. The QPR provides for the submission of a narrative report. Many sponsors have used this section of the report to inform us of noteworthy achievements, while other sponsors have provided only limited narrative information.

Information provided can be beneficial to the program. The Administration, the Congress, and the general public are interested in success stories. Such stories on successful project activities can provide compelling reasons to continue the program, telling the SCSEP story in a human way rather than through "dry" numbers. The narrative section of the QPR offers sponsors an opportunity to provide DOL with positive (and other) information about their projects.

4. Directive. SCSEP sponsors are encouraged to provide information on important issues and positive events that have occurred during the reporting period. The purposes of the narrative report are to give project sponsors an opportunity to expand on noteworthy project achievements, and to identify problem areas encountered by the project. This may include items such as unsubsidized placements that occurred due to coordination between SCSEP and JTPA, One-stop Career Center activities, and unusual or noteworthy unsubsidized or community service placements. The report, which does not have to take any specific format, should nonetheless be presented as succinctly as possible.

5. Inquiries. Questions may be directed to your Federal Representative at (202) 219-5904.

ERICH W. ("RIC") LARISCH
ANNA W. GODDARD
Chief Director, Division of Older Worker Programs
Office of National Programs