IPS Fidelity Newsletter Vol. 4

Welcome to Maine Medical Center’s (MMC) Department of Vocational Services (DVS), Community Employment Services newsletter. This monthly newsletter is designed to facilitate awareness and understanding of the evidence-based Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of supported employment services, to reinforce the importance of employment to mental health recovery, and to share resources for providers in behavioral health agencies to support vocational conversations with individuals served.

IPS Client Vignette:

"I did lose a job because of drugs, but I've had my current job in a movie theater for two years now. Working helped me cut down because I wasn't bored and had less time to think about negative things. At first, I struggled with the paycheck. I felt tempted to buy drugs with my pay, but now there are other things that I want. I want to eat out and buy clothes. Work gives me responsibilities. That feels good. I have something to look forward to."

-Micheal

"There is no greater disability

 in society,

than the inability

to see a person as more."

-Robert M. Hensel, Disability Activist

33 years of ADA:

In honor of the Americans with Disabilities Act,

which was signed into law by President George Bush

on July 26,1990, I encourage you

to watch the documentary, Crip Camp,

which shares the story of the origins of the ADA.

The ADA applies to mental health in many ways. First, the ADA specifically defines disability as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.” The ADA uses the term “mental impairments,” which may also refer to psychiatric disabilities, mental disabilities,

and mental illness.

The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) broadened the definition of disability to provide legal protections against employment discrimination for more individuals with disabilities, including people with psychiatric disabilities.

How can leadership in mental health agencies

integrate employment and treatment?

• Identify a "champion" of employment from the clinical staff on each treatment team.
• Integrate the employment specialist into clinical team meetings as a matter of practice.
• Assess and provide performance feedback to each treatment team member in regard to promoting and supporting employment outcomes.
• When interviewing for direct service positions, pose questions about the value of employment and assess the level of "buy-in" from the candidate.
• In agency public spaces, promote supported employment as core to what is provided for embedded services.
• Require front-line service staff to complete supported employment training(s) and offer them education units for doing do.

What is Individualized Placement and Support (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 the most researched model of supported employment and has been implemented in 26 states and seven countries.

Disability employment has been a focus of Maine Medical Center’s Department of Vocational Services (DVS) for over 40 years. DVS serves both job seekers and businesses to advance employment for individuals with disabilities; this includes providing Community Employment Services (CES) as part of treatment teams in behavioral health agencies across the state. This newsletter, made possible through a partnership with Maine DHHS Office of Behavioral Health and Maine DOL Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, is developed by the CES team’s IPS Trainer and Liaison. This role provides technical assistance and training to stakeholder agencies as they learn more about the principles and evidence-based practices of IPS. To reach Nancy Litrocapes, IPS Trainer and Liaison, please email: nancy.litrocapes@mainehealth.org. 

Recommended Learnings:

IPS for Non-Employment Practitioners

Benefits Navigation Trainings