Individual Placement and
Support (IPS) Supported
Employment
PEPPNET Treatment Workgroup:
Supported Education/Employment
November 6, 2015
Sarah Swanson
Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center
Competitive Employment Rates in 22
Randomized Controlled Trials of IPS
Young Adults with Early
Psychosis:
Review of Early
Intervention Literature
Bond, Drake, & Luciano, 2014
8 Follow-up Studies of Early
Intervention Programs Providing IPS
IPS Practice Principles
1: Every interested person is eligible
No exclusions due to:
• Symptoms
• Substance use
• Missed appointments
• Homelessness
• Personal presentation
• School problems
• Job loss
• Legal problems
• Other factors
Engagement
 Young people may change goals frequently—be
flexible and positive.
 Offer options for career planning, as well as jobs that
people can work now.
 Consider including peer positions on the team.
 Meet people where they like to spend time.
 Focus on strengths and possibilities, not problems.
IPS Practice Principles
2: Regular jobs and educational programs
• Jobs for which anyone can
apply, regardless of disability
status
• Wages are similar to nondisabled co-workers with
similar experience and duties
• Job tenure depends on
needs of employer and
preferences of worker
• Can be part time or full time
Educational programs that
are available to the general
public, not those created for
people with disabilities.
IPS Practice Principles
3: Preferences are honored
Include Family Members in
Employment/Education Plans
 Family can be siblings, parents, good friends, AA
sponsors, partners, or others identified as supports.
 Plan the meeting in advance with the person. Ask what
he would like to keep private, what he would like to
gain from the meeting, etc.
 Ask family members for ideas: What does she enjoy?
What classes were her favorites? What lead to
success in previous jobs (or in education)?
IPS Practice Principles
4: Employment Services and Mental Health Services
are Integrated
• Weekly meetings
using shareddecision making
• Shared office
space
• Integrated records
• Team approach:
all help with
employment and
education goals
Collaboration with
Vocational Rehabilitation
IPS Practice Principles
5: Benefits Planning is Offered
Encourage People to Choose
Careers
 In the U.S., less than 3% of those who sign up for
Social Security Disability benefits ever exit the benefits
system.
 A life on SSDI or SSI is generally a life of poverty,
social isolation, and social stigma that can lead to poor
health outcomes (e.g., lower life expectancy and poorer
physical and emotional health status).
IPS Practice Principles
6: The job search occurs rapidly
Typically within 30 days of meeting
the IPS specialist, the specialist or
job seeker has in-person contact
with an employer (or visits an
educational institution).
Rapid Job Search and Career
Exploration
 First in-person visits with employers can be for
informational interviewing or to observe workers.
 Visits to educational institutions may include meeting
with advisors to learn about different degrees and
certificates.
 To keep a young person engaged, demonstrate that
progress is being made toward her goals.
Building with Employers and
Educators
7.IPS specialists meet in-person with employers to
learn about their business and workforce needs.
IPS specialists also visit
educational and
training programs to
learn about degree
and certificate
programs. They speak
with people from
Student Services to
learn about possible
accommodations.
IPS Practice Principles
8: Job/educational supports are individualized and
continuous
More Information: www.dartmouthips.org
…including an online training program, training
manuals, employment posters, demonstration
DVDs, fidelity materials, and program tools, go to:
www.dartmouthips.org