Individuals with the most serious mental illness have high unemployment rates, up to 85 percent. Having a job is a major step toward recovery, according to the Dartmouth Individual Placement Support (IPS) philosophy and research. Employed clients have a better quality of life with increased self-esteem and reduced symptoms of mental illness.
Established in 2014, the Center’s evidence-based IPS supported employment program garnered high marks in a recent fidelity review. The program, which provides individualized employment assistance for clients with serious mental illness who are seeking employment, received an exemplary fidelity rating and the highest score for any supportive employment program in North Carolina.
Reviewers from the North Carolina Divisions of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services and Vocational Rehabilitation conducted the two-day fidelity review in June.
The reviewers identified strengths in leadership, integrated behavioral health teams, documentation, and delivery of holistic services. “It was evident to the fidelity reviewers that the IPS team’s success is largely due to the strength and dedication of each member of the IPS team and the support provided by the leadership team,” the report states.
Research shows that agencies that fully implement IPS supported employment according to the scale criteria have higher competitive employment rates than those that do not.
“IPS service helps individuals with mental illness or problems with substance abuse break a cycle and take a huge step towards wellness and self-sufficiency,” says Hillary Little, MS, CRC, LPCA, IPS Team Lead.
”People want to work, they want to support themselves, they want to give back to society and they want to create something. Work is that—- for so many people,” she continues.
The Center’s IPS program serves individuals in Orange and Chatham counties.