What is IPS?
Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is a model of supported employment for people with serious mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar, depression). IPS supported employment helps people living with behavioral health conditions work at regular jobs of their choosing. Although variations of supported employment exist, IPS refers to the evidence-based practice of supported employment. Mainstream education and technical training are included as ways to advance career paths. IPS is based on 8 principles.
Learn more with our introductory PowerPoint:
The 8 principles of IPS
Competitive Employment
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
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
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
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
Benefits Planning
Employment specialists help people obtain personalized, understandable, and accurate information about their Social Security, Medicaid, and other government entitlements.
Zero Exclusion
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
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
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.
Why Focus On Employment?
“I want to work because I don’t want to be in this [psychosocial rehab] program when I am old.”
Effects of Unemployment
“Now that I am working again I can buy my daughter presents.”
Benefits of Employment
“I worried that if my son got a job he would get stressed. But just the opposite happened. He is doing so much better than before.”
Want more information about IPS?
Policy Bulletins About the Need for IPS
IPS Implementation in Spain
A new article from September’s supplemental issue of The International Journal for Quality in Health Care describes Spain’s successful implementation of IPS. Since Spain joined the learning community in 2013, [...]
Policy, Environment, and IPS
A study published in September’s issue of Schizophrenia Bulletin reveals new information about how policy and environment can affect the effectiveness of IPS services. The study, based on research from [...]
Issue Brief: Legislating Evidence-Based Policymaking
Agencies and programs should consider using interventions that are supported by empirical evidence. US legislators are enacting laws that encourage the use of evidence-based programs and practices. Choosing evidence-based practices, [...]