Our goal is to help California behavioral health delivery systems and behavioral health practitioners deliver the most effective care possible. We do this by training and supporting the implementation of Individual Placement and Support (IPS), the evidence-based model of supported employment.
IPS is a proven method that supports individuals living with significant behavioral health needs find and maintain competitive employment. Participation in IPS Supported Employment shows improved employment outcomes as well as improved self-esteem, independence, sense of belonging, and overall health and well-being.
Background
The IPS Employment Center at Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. is proud to serve as a Center of Excellence (COE) for the implementation of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Supported Employment, an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) as part of California’s effort to expand access to and strengthen the continuum of community-based behavioral health services for individuals living with significant behavioral health needs. Go to the Behavioral Health COE Resource Hub for information about participating COEs and EBPs.
About Individual Placement and Support
IPS helps individuals with competitive, integrated employment and IPS may also assist with education or training that is related to a career goal. This model is a community-based service, highly individualized, and utilizes a team-based approach.
IPS model is characterized by the following key principles. Visit our What is IPS page for more information on each principle.
- Competitive, integrated employment
- Systematic job development
- Rapid job search
- Integrated with mental health services
- Benefits planning.
- Zero exclusion
- Time-unlimited supports.
- Worker preferences
Resources
Get to Know the Training and Technical Assistance Team
Sarah Swanson, M.S., CRC
Sarah Swanson, M.S. is the Director of the IPS Employment Center and International IPS Learning Community. She has experience helping states and countries implement IPS, has been an IPS trainer, a Supported Employment Supervisor, and an Employment Specialist.
Crystal McMahon
Crystal McMahon has held a variety of IPS roles including Employment Specialist, Employment Program Supervisor, State Supported Employment Trainer, Instructor, and Research Associate for the Mental Health Treatment Study. She holds an MS in Psychology and was the Director of the Oregon Supported Employment Center for Excellence for 15 years. She taught courses on IPS Supported Employment at Portland State University and Dartmouth College. Ms. McMahon has a longstanding interest in the natural world and has helped conserve hundreds of acres of wildlife habitat.
Ruth Brock, M.S.
Ruth Brock, M.S., joined the IPS Employment Center in 2020. Ruth provides IPS training, technical assistance, and fidelity reviews to states and countries in the IPS International Learning Community, as well as to other jurisdictions and contracts. Ruth educates leaders on infrastructure to implement IPS in a sustainable way. She serves as a seasoned vocational expert with decades of progressive multi-level responsibilities in service and program delivery for people with different abilities.
Jennie Keleher
Jennie Keleher, MSW, is passionate about helping people achieve recovery through employment. In 2022, she joined the IPS Employment Center as an international IPS trainer and consultant. Jennie received her introduction to the IPS model in 1998, when participating in an early IPS research study and serving as team leader for an Assertive Community Treatment team implementing IPS. She was an IPS mentor/trainer for over a decade in the Veterans Administration, providing training and support for IPS implementation with various populations. She also has experience consulting with many community-based IPS programs, and is bilingual (English/Spanish).
Sandra Langfitt-Reese
Sandra first joined the Center in 2006 as a part-time contractor and became a full-time employee in 2010. Since 2006, Sandra has assisted with providing system conversion and capacity building in provision of integrated employment services with states, counties, and countries within the International IPS Learning Community. Sandra has worked as an IPS supervisor for 10 years, a statewide IPS trainer for the Oregon Supported Employment Center for Excellence and she worked in community mental health for over 25 years as the director of supported employment and education.