Fort Wayne, Ind. — Easterseals Community Network has been awarded a $100,000 grant through the MHS Serves Workforce Support Program, a significant investment that will expand workforce development opportunities and strengthen pathways to employment for individuals and families across Northern Indiana.
Thanks to this investment from Managed Health Services (MHS), in partnership with Black Onyx Management and the Indiana Minority Health Coalition (IMHC), we’ll be able to expand access to workforce development opportunities, strengthen employment pathways, and provide additional supports that help individuals achieve greater independence and financial stability.
The initiative builds on Easterseals’ longstanding commitment to expanding employment opportunities and removing barriers that prevent individuals from fully participating in their communities. Through personalized support, workforce navigation, career coaching, and strategic partnerships with employers and community organizations, participants will gain access to meaningful pathways toward employment and self-sufficiency.
“The impact of this grant will be felt throughout our entire network and in the lives of the people we serve every day,” said Donna Elbrecht, CEO of Easterseals Community Network. “We deeply appreciate MHS Serves’ commitment to addressing workforce challenges and supporting innovative, community-based solutions that create long-term opportunities for economic mobility and personal success.”
The grant reflects a shared commitment between Easterseals Community Network and MHS Serves to address social determinants of health by expanding access to employment, education, and community resources. By investing in workforce development, the initiative aims to help individuals achieve greater financial stability while strengthening communities throughout the region.
About Easterseals Community Network
Easterseals Community Network is one of Indiana’s largest nonprofit providers of disability and family support services, serving thousands of individuals and families each year across Northern Indiana. As the parent organization of Easterseals Northeast Indiana and Cardinal Services, the network leverages shared expertise and resources to maximize impact across communities. Through innovative, person-centered programs, the organization focuses on four key areas: enriching education, enhancing health, expanding employment, and elevating community.
About MHS Serves
MHS Serves is a community investment initiative of Managed Health Services (MHS) dedicated to addressing social determinants of health and creating healthier communities across Indiana. Through strategic partnerships and grant funding, MHS Serves supports innovative programs that expand opportunity, improve outcomes, and help individuals and families thrive.