Community Employment

Building Careers. Strengthening Workplaces. Empowering Communities.

At MSDC, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to work - and every business deserves the benefits that come from inclusion. Our Community Employment Services connect adults with developmental disabilities to meaningful, competitive jobs that match their skills and interests - while helping employers build loyal, productive, and diverse teams.

Our Approach

We combine proven employment strategies with community collaboration to create success for both employees and employers.

  • High Expectations: Everyone can work when the right supports are in place.

  • Individualized Planning: We match job opportunities to each person’s skills, interests, and strengths.

  • Employer Partnerships: We work directly with businesses to ensure a great fit and long-term success.

  • Ongoing Support: Our employment consultants provide on-site training, communication, and workplace support - at no cost to the employer.

  • Community Integration: We collaborate with residential services, transportation, and Vocational Rehabilitation to remove barriers to work.

  • Why Partner With MSDC

    Hiring people with disabilities isn’t just the right thing to do - it’s good business.

    According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Forbes, and Accenture’s Disability Inclusion Report,

    companies that embrace disability inclusion experience:

    1.6× more revenue

    2.6× more net income

    2× higher profit margins

    25% more productivity

    90% higher retention among employees

    Lower turnover costs - replacing one employee can cost 50–200% of their salary.

    Accommodations are typically low-cost or no cost (average cost: $300)

    and lead to stronger teams, better morale, and a positive reputation in the community.

    Partner with MSDC Employment Services
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  • Our Services

    We support individuals and employers through every step of the employment process:

    Career exploration

    Skill assessments

    Resume building

    Interview preparation

    Job placement

    Onboarding support

    On-the-job coaching and retention services

    Employer engagement and relationship building

    Follow-up and workplace consultation

    Work-site analysis

    Get Started With Community Employment
    A man wearing a blue uniform working on a manufacturing or assembly line in a warehouse, with shelves filled with labeled boxes, an industrial pipe overhead, and bright lighting.

MSDC Employment Services align with national policies promoting workforce inclusion:

Legal Foundations for Inclusive Employment

A man wearing a black BOURBON ST pizza t-shirt and a cap appears to be preparing or serving pizza inside a rustic restaurant, with two women watching.
Four people holding a sign that reads 'No Neighbor Hungry, No Food Wasted' in front of a wall covered in signatures and a large green heart. One person wears a black shirt with 'Culver' written in orange, and another wears a shirt with comic book style graphics.

Employer Resources

Explore research and guidance on the benefits of inclusive hiring:

YOUR IMPACT | 2025 AT A GLANCE

10

New Jobs Secured

29

Individuals Employed

67

Individuals Served

15/70

SE+ Participants

Statewide Recognition

MSDC is one of only six agencies statewide selected for the Supported Employment Plus (SE+) Federal Grant pilot — and has helped 15 of Indiana's 70 total SE+ participants successfully secure employment. MSDC is also one of 15 agencies statewide awarded the Establishment Project contract, strengthening staff capacity and increasing service quality for Vocational Rehabilitation applicants.

Our Employer Partners

We are proud to work alongside local businesses committed to inclusive hiring and workforce diversity, including:

•       CTE Solutions, Rochester Community School Corporation, Kroger, Taco Bell, Hacienda

•       Kingpin Lanes, Modern Door, Frida's Mexican Cuisine, Bellmart (BP) Gas Stations

•       Salvation Army, Walmart, Monteith's Best-One Tire & Service, Bourbon Street Pizza

•       New Holland Rochester Inc, Ancilla College, Kaleidoscope Head Start, McDonald's, Super 8

Employment is more than a paycheck.

It builds confidence, strengthens community connections,

and creates pathways to independence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Any qualifying individuals who want to work can explore MSDC’s employment programs — whether they’re new to the workforce, returning after time away, or looking for a better job match. Our services support adults with developmental disabilities in finding meaningful, competitive employment in the community.

  • Support continues as long as it’s needed to help someone succeed on the job. Our team works alongside each participant and employer to ensure long-term success, stability, and growth.

  • Not necessarily.
    You can be referred to a trained individual to help you understand how wages impact benefits like SSI, SSDI, or Medicaid — and how to maximize available work incentives that help people earn income safely.

  • We focus on competitive, integrated employment based on each person’s strengths, interests, and abilities. Jobs may be:

    • Retail

    • Food service

    • Manufacturing

    • Office/clerical

    • Hospitality

    • Custodial or maintenance

    • Customized roles built around someone’s talents and employer’s needs.

  • Yes!
    We partner with businesses across multiple local counties including Marshall, Starke, Fulton and Saint Joseph to create integrated workplaces. Companies that hire people with disabilities often experience:

    • 1.6× more revenue

    • 2.6× more net income

    • Double the profit

    • 25% higher productivity

  • We provide:

    • On-the-job coaching

    • Skill-building

    • Problem-solving support

    • Employer collaboration

    • Support gradually as participants gain independence.

  • Sometimes, but most accommodations are simple, inexpensive, or free.
    Almost half of accommodations cost nothing, and the rest average about $300.

    We guide employers through the process to make it easy.

  • No.
    We help people explore full-time, part-time, seasonal, and customized roles — whatever best fits their goals and abilities.

  • We provide:

    • Pre-screened candidates

    • Job matching

    • Onboarding assistance

    • On-site coaching

    • Help improving retention

    • Customized support for the employer and the employee

    Our goal is to help employers build loyal, productive teams with reduced turnover.

  • Contact our Employment Services team to learn more, schedule a meeting, or make a referral.

Let’s Build Your Future - Together.

Whether you're looking for meaningful work or hoping to hire dedicated talent, MSDC is ready to support your next step.

Talk With Our Employment Team
Talk With Our Employment Team