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INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT AND SUPPORT (IPS)

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidenced-based model of supported employment to assist people with serious mental illness find and maintain employment.

Man operating forklift

COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT

Jobs anyone can apply for, pay at least minimum wage/same pay as coworkers with similar duties, and have no artificial time limits imposed by the social

service agency.

SYSTEMATIC JOB DEVELOPMENT

Employment specialists systematically visit employers, who are selected based on the job seeker’s preferences, to learn about their business needs and hiring preferences.

RAPID JOB SEARCH

IPS programs use a rapid job search approach to help job seekers obtain jobs rather than assessments, training, & counseling. The first face to face contact with the employer occurs within 30 days.

INTEGRATED SERVICES

IPS programs are integrated with mental health treatment teams. Employment specialists attach to 1 or 2 mental health
treatment teams, which discuss their caseload.

BENEFITS PLANNING

Employment specialists help people obtain personalized, understandable, and accurate information about their Social Security, Medicaid, and other government entitlements.

ZERO EXCLUSION

People are not excluded on the basis of readiness, diagnoses, symptoms, substance use history, psychiatric hospitalizations, homelessness, level of disability, or legal

system involvement.

TIME-UNLIMITED SUPPORTS

Job supports are individualized and continue for as long as each worker wants and needs the support. Employment Specialist have face to face contact at

least monthly.

WORKER PREFERENCES

IPS program services are based on each job seeker’s preferences and choices rather than the employment specialist’s and supervisor’s judgments

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