A service designed for meaningful employment.
The most extensively studied model of employment services for people with mental illnesses. IPS is individualized and focuses on a person’s strengths, using a multidisciplinary approach involving the individual’s mental health team. Its core belief is that work promotes wellness and recovery. Evidence shows people in IPS attain employment faster, hold jobs longer, and work more hours. IPS is more effective than alternative vocational approaches regardless of a variety of client background factors (e.g., ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status). (Iowa IPS Research).
IPS is broken into 8 core practice principles, each playing an important role in the overall success of the individual.
Zero Exclusion: Eligibility is based on choice and interest in working. People are not excluded because of diagnosis, recent hospitalizations, criminal justice history, or perceived issues with work readiness.
Worker Preferences: IPS Specialists and job seekers establish preference of job type, wage, distance, hours worked/work schedule, work environment, and job supports. The job search is based on these individualized preferences, strengths, and experiences, and not on a pool of readily available jobs.
Rapid Job Search: As soon as a job seeker is referred, services start. Waitlists are discouraged. IPS Specialists and job seekers begin looking for work within a month of service provision.
Benefits Planning: Certified Work Incentives Counselors (CWICs) are available for clients interested in knowing how their benefits are affected by working. Incentives for workers with disabilities are also shared.
Integrated Services: IPS Specialists, mental health practitioners and vocational rehabilitation counselors work together to help job seekers achieve recovery goals through successfully supporting employment.
Systematic Job Development: IPS Specialists build relationships with employers based on the job seekers’ preferences to learn the business needs, environment, and job requirements to make successful job matches.
Competitive Employment: A full or part time job in the community earning minimum wage or higher, open to everyone, where coworkers don’t necessarily have disabilities.
Time-Unlimited Supports: Supports are provided by IPS staff for as long as the worker wants or needs, typically up to a year after becoming employed. Natural and clinical supports are built up in this time for support upon successful completion of IPS.
IPS empowers people living with mental illnesses, substance use disorders, and other disabilities to work at jobs they choose and enjoy. Benefits of IPS Employment include increased income, improved self-esteem, increased social and quality of life, better control of symptoms, reduced substance use, and reduced hospitalization.
In 28 studies, IPS was successful for 55% of people, versus 25% for other employment programs. This means people with mental illness or co-occurring disorders find jobs they prefer in the community in which they prefer and/or live more frequently than in any other employment program.
Imagine the Possibilities offers IPS Services in Washington, Louisa, Jefferson, Henry, Des Moines, and Lee Counties. To inquire about IPS services, contact Eva Castillo, Director of Services at ecastillo@imagineia.org or call (319) 237-1305.