Surprising reasons to be employed: Employment is not just about being financially stable

Displaced by the housing crisis in 2008, an out-of-state job seeker moved to Indiana in hope of finding economic stability, safe and quality housing, and improving mental health by feeling needed in her local community. This job seeker was a recently laid off mortgage document processor, and found housing at a local shelter for herself and her daughter. She immediately secured a job in retail to show current work history as a short-term solution, while seeking a career in the banking industry for the long-term. While working in the retail position, this individual upsold more donations to veteran families than any of her colleagues. With her exceptional retail work highlighted on her resume, she finally grabbed the attention of a bank and was offered an interview. In the interview, the hiring manager asked her to, “please consider starting as a teller and when conditions are better, we will consider you for a mortgage department position.” This kickstarted a chain of events that led to her daughter doing better in school with a now more stable living situation, increased self-worth, and increased economic stability. The new banking employer told this upskilled person that the reason they hired her was because of her determination and efforts in the retail position which translated into selling financial products for their customers.

Employment and Social Determinants of Health

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are the non-medical situations that affect a person’s health outcomes per the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (1).

• Education Access and Quality

  • Increase educational opportunities and help children and adolescents do will in school

• Health Care and Quality

  • Increase access to comprehensive, high-quality health care services

• Neighborhood and Build Environment

  • Create neighborhoods and environments that promote health and safety

• Social and Community Context

  • Increase social and community support

• Economic Stability

  • Help people earn steady income that allow them to meet their health needs

It is not difficult to see the correlation between the introductory true story and the Social Determinants of Health listed above. 

This successful job seeker took the initiative to not only find secure employment but to also actively educate herself on the local banking industry. She invested time in learning industry specific processes, procedures and sales platforms. By gaining employment, the job seeker not only had income, but she now had access to increased health care options for herself and her dependents, significantly enhancing their overall well-being.

In addition, achieving a steady income allowed the individual to transition from a local shelter into a safe, stable apartment located in a quality neighborhood near her workplace with convenient access to public transportation. This residential stability supported a more consistent daily routine and reduced barriers to maintaining employment. Socially, the job seeker expanded her professional and personal network, made new friends, and had access to community events which contributed to a stronger sense of belonging and independence.

Health Plans and Employment Resources

Integrating employment, education and upskilling resources into a health plan’s programming aligns with better health outcomes and increased self-sufficiency for its members. Targeted staff and resources are often the backbone of the employment programming offered.

In 2027, the State of Indiana is planning to implement community engagement guidelines for some Medicaid plan members. This change comes as The State of Indiana aligns itself with Federal regulations that adults with Medicaid benefits must participate in community engagement if not exempt.

“Community engagement” includes employment, volunteering or pursuing education, although the requirements are still in final planning stages at the State and Federal Levels. The State is also leveraging these Federal mandates to increase positive health outcomes while adhering to the budget for Medicaid programs. Oftentimes, Indiana Medicaid members are already participating in these qualifying activities. In a 2021 National Average report from the National Library of Medicine, 15% of the Medicaid enrollees had dual enrollment in a state and commercial insurance offered by their employer. According to the National Library of Medicine, 40% of Medicaid Beneficiaries aged 19-64 are employed. This includes 23% of those not working due to a disability, and those with dependents (2).

Exemptions from Community Engagement Activities

Possible exemptions from the 80 hours per month Community Engagement Activity requirement include:

• Parents, guardians, and caregivers for children age 13 and younger or disabled individuals

• Pregnant women or individuals receiving postpartum Medicaid coverage

• Disabled veterans

• Current or former foster youth under age 26

• Medically frail individuals or those with special medical needs

• American Indians, Alaska Natives, and California Indians

• Participating in substance abuse treatment or rehabilitation programs

• Participants in work requirements for other benefits, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or food stamps) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

• Individuals who are incarcerated or who have been in the past three months (3)

Volunteering may be a good option for those who do not want to work, and brings many benefits beyond meeting Community Engagement requirements to maintain their Medicaid Plan.

Volunteerism brings a sense of mental stimulation, routine and a sense of purpose, one of the most valuable benefits of giving back. In addition, volunteering can also be a valuable opportunity to network. Networking is a key and critical component of job hunting, giving someone an opportunity to meet new people as well as potentially gain new references and skills. Volunteer activities should always be included on a resume as work experience. Recruiters often see volunteering as a positive, especially if it indicates leadership or measurable outcomes related to the position for which the individual has applied. 

With community engagement such as volunteering, pursuing an education or seeking employment, the opportunities and doors that open to one is endless. 

Resources:

1. Office of Disease and Health Promotion Healthy People 2030, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Retrieved January 8, 2026 from https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health 

2. National Library of Medicine: Medicaid Enrollees Who are Employed: Implications for Unwinding the Medicaid Continuous Medicaid Enrollment Provision; Issue Brief by Aiden Lee, Joel Ruhter, Christie Peters, Nancy De Lew, and Benjamin D. Sommers. Washington (DC): Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE); 2023 Apr. Report No.: HP-2023-11 Permissions: Public Domain. Retrieved January 9, 2026 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK604394/ 

3. Indiana General Assembly House Bill 1392 Medicaid Work Requirements; Rep. Harold Slager. Retrieved January 9, 2026 from https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2024/bills/house/1392/details

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Dustin Jablonski is a Social Worker who has spent over 25 years working in the field of Supported Employment. Dustin has worked alongside Vocational Rehabilitation, the Indiana University Institute on Disability and Community, and many employment related community resources in Indiana. Dustin’s current role is a Program Coordinator assisting community members find local resources and overcoming barriers to employment. He has been recognized by the Indiana Association of People in Supported Employment as an emerging leader with the Wendy Wood Award. 

Dustin outside of work has maintained a 40 year career as a disc jockey and writes articles about film for related books and magazines.

Summit Managed Solutions is a management consulting and professional services firm that partners with healthcare organizations across the private, public, and social sectors to create value. By providing comprehensive solution management and inclusive business operation services, Summit helps deliver specific, transformative outcomes. With consulting and managed service offerings, Summit helps partners overcome the critical challenges associated with people, process, and technology, while providing partners with flexibility, reliability, and innovation that will propel growth.