COH-MentalHealthBook

CONTEXTS & CONSIDERATIONS
The IPS model follows eight supported-employment principles, as described by Drake et
al. (2012):
•¡
Zero exclusion: all clients who want to participate are eligible.
•¡
Integration of vocational and mental health treatment services: vocational and mental
health treatment staff members are co-located and frequent communication between
team members is essential.
•¡
Competitive employment: clients get help obtaining community-based jobs at
competitive wages.
•¡
Benefits counselling: people who receive government benefits need personalized
benefit planning when considering employment.
•¡
Rapid job search: the job search process begins within one month of the client meeting
with an employment specialist and beginning a career profile or vocational assessment.
•¡
Follow-along supports: individualized assistance to working clients is available for
as long as they need it.
•¡
Preferences: client preferences influence the type of job sought and the nature and
type of support offered.
•¡
Systematic job development: employment specialists build an employer network
based on clients’ interests, developing relationships with local employers by making
systematic contacts.
Table 3.4-1 on the next page elaborates on these eight points.
215