The Employment Department helps clients to attain and maintain employment in accordance with the evidence based Supportive Employment and IPS (Individual Placement and Support) Models.
Attaining Employment
The employment consultant works with Life Link clients to pursue their employment goals. The consultant’s level of involvement is based on the clients’ needs and preferences. Comprehensive services include:
- Assistance with job leads
- Advocacy
- Interview practice
- Resume and application writing
- Transportation
- Coaching and emotional support.
- Mediation between client and prospective employee
Maintaining Employment
After a client has gained employment, our employment consultant supports the client in keeping the job. Comprehensive services are individualized and include:
- Stress management counseling
- Interpersonal skills counseling
- Mediation with employer and advocacy
- Wellness and time management development
IPS Supportive Employment Models
The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is a supported employment program model for people with severe mental illness that integrates clinical and vocational services within mental health agencies. The core IPS principles are to:
- Gain competitive and integrated employment in the community
- Obtain the job directly rather than though lengthy pre-employment training
- Provided integrated rehabilitation and mental health services, so that all services an individual receives are coordinated work together
- Base job search, disclosure, and job supports on consumer preferences rather than provider’s judgment
- Offer individualized “follow-along” supports
The IPS model uses a “place-train” approach, which believes clients benefit more from learning on the job more through pre-employment screening and training in sheltered work settings. IPS employment specialists work directly with clinical teams to ensure coordinated services. IPS specialists begin by helping people to conduct job searches and after securing employment, provide training and follow along supports (i.e. counseling, transportation, intervening with an employer) as needed.
Studies show that IPS clients are more than twice as likely to obtain competitive jobs, work at a job for 20 or more hours a week, and earn more total wages than clients that are not receiving employment services based on IPS model.
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