Marshall-Starke Development Center

Marshall-Starke Development Center is a regional human services organization that has championed disability inclusion, early childhood education, and community employment across North-Central Indiana for six decades. Formed in 1965 by local parents determined to secure educational access for their children with physical and intellectual disabilities, the organization held its first classes in January 1966 under founding director Shirley Amond. From its modest beginnings in a renovated motel on Old 31, the agency has grown into a multi-county leader operating dedicated campuses and service locations in Plymouth, Knox, Bremen, and Rochester.

Early intervention and youth education form the foundational tier of the organization's lifespan service continuum. Since 1984, the center has served as the designated federal Head Start and Early Head Start provider for Marshall and Starke counties. Serving pregnant mothers, infants, toddlers, and preschool children, these programs integrate school readiness curricula, nutritional counseling, health screenings, and comprehensive family engagement. The Kaleidoscope Children's Center serves as the primary educational facility, partnering with regional vocational cooperatives and higher education institutions to provide hands-on teaching experience for secondary students entering early childhood careers.

For adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the organization provides a wide spectrum of day programming and residential support designed to foster autonomy and community belonging. Adult day services offer therapeutic recreation, socialization, technology training, and creative activities, including community art initiatives through Masterpieces and the Joyful Journey program. Residential programs deliver supported living options that assist individuals in managing daily household routines, personal wellness, and community integration, ensuring clients can thrive in comfortable, accessible home environments.

Vocational development and integrated economic opportunity are cornerstones of the agency's adult services. The community employment program matches job seekers with local businesses, providing vocational profiling, resume preparation, job application assistance, and ongoing on-the-job coaching. For high school students with disabilities, the organization provides Pre-Employment Transition Services across northern Indiana, preparing youth for successful post-graduation careers. Additionally, the agency manages unique social enterprises that provide paid, real-world work experience, including Real Products, a wood-manufacturing operation producing wire reels, and the Manitou Center in Fulton County, which joined Marshall-Starke through a 1994 merger.

To ensure community accessibility, the organization maintains a fleet of passenger vehicles that provide daily transportation for participants attending classes, vocational training, and social outings. Across Marshall, Starke, and Fulton counties, dedicated direct support professionals and educators work together to deliver person-centered care that honors individual choices and personal aspirations.

Individuals, parents, and family caregivers seeking early childhood enrollment, adult day services, residential placement, or vocational assistance can contact the main campus on Pidco Drive in Plymouth or connect through regional centers in Knox and Rochester. Community members can support the organization's mission through volunteer service, patronage of its social enterprises, or charitable financial gifts that empower individuals of all abilities to thrive.