Individual Placement and Support (IPS)
Employment help for individuals with mental health issues
Overview
The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program helps people with serious mental health conditions find and keep jobs in their communities.
It offers personalized support, such as job coaching, career counseling, and help with resumes, interviews, and networking. Employment specialists connect participants with local businesses and match them to jobs that align with their interests.
Research shows IPS is highly effective. People who use this program find jobs faster, stay at their job longer, and earn more money compared to other programs.
Who qualifies?
IPS is open to anyone with a mental health condition who wants to work. There are no specific requirements. When someone is ready to find a job, they are connected with an employment specialist who helps them explore their interests, skills, and goals.
How to sign up
Please contact the agency serving your area:
South Peninsula Behavioral Health (Homer)
Frontier Community Services (Soldotna)
Volunteers of America (Anchorage)
Northern Hope Center (Fairbanks)
How to use
After a person starts working, IPS provides ongoing support, such as job coaching, adjusting job tasks to fit a person’s needs, and improving communication between the employee and employer. This support continues as long as it is needed. IPS also works closely with businesses to ensure the workplace is a good fit for everyone involved.