The IPS Family & Peer Advocates Committee provides education and advocacy to their communities and the International IPS Learning Community. The committee educates IPS teams and partners regarding the important roles that family can have in supporting someone through the process of job seeking, working a job, and advancing in a career, sometimes with further education. They help educate other families and community members about the benefits of IPS supported employment and the role of work in recovery from mental illness. Many committee members are connected with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Vocational Rehabilitation, state mental health departments, consumer/family advocacy councils, or similar groups.
The committee’s work includes creating materials for IPS programs, state mental health and Vocational Rehabilitation departments, and promoting the inclusion of family and other support people in IPS services.
A Resource Document
Click here to view a resource document with answers to questions IPS specialists often have about family members and natural supports, and how to include them in IPS.
Strategies for IPS Specialists to Partner with Family Members
1. What would a working person say about their employment experience and how family involvement matters to them?
A video about this topic with Debbie Homan
2. What do family members say about being included in the employment and education process with their loved one?
A video about this topic with Tara Alley as it pertains to young adults.
3. What do family members say about being included in the employment and education process with their loved one?
A video about this topic with Warren Taylor as it pertains to adults in IPS.
4. What are some strategies I can use to help job seekers think about family and people in their lives who could be included in their IPS process?
A video about this topic with Rachel Hoard and Darby Remley.
5. I am not sure how suggest or plan “family” engagement with my clients.
A video about this topic with Kim Gable and Olivia Jennings.
6. Someone I’m working with has a history of justice involvement, and they say they’ve burned bridges with their family. How can I help?
A video about this topic with Karla Jones.
7. I’m working with someone who wants to get a job, but their parents worry that they will lose benefits and then have a hard time getting them back. What can I do?
A video about this topic with Sharon Darnell and Cathy Epperson.
8. Sometimes family members have different ideas about employment goals than the person in IPS. What tips do you have for handling conversations about that?
A video about this topic with Kari Olson Lleva.
For more information contact Jennie Keleher at Jennie.Keleher@nyspi.columbia.edu