Individual Placement Support (IPS) Specialist Desiree Bailey from the Ben Gordon Center says she has a job she loves because she’s on a mission serving people with a mental disability as they seek gainful employment in the workforce. Bailey told Rotarians how IPS works with Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and other team members to help clients overcome their disability so they can become self-sufficient. This part of their overall treatment plan is unique because it focuses on their choice to be in the program and their pursuit of a job in an area of interest to them.
Bailey said IPS is seen as promoting wellness in patients because it builds on existing client skills and desires while they seek success in the workplace. She said clients enter the program with a variety of different disabilities. These can include anxiety, low self-esteem, and substance abuse. Bailey says IPS has a zero-exclusion policy and has the flexibility to adapt to a client’s preferences for number of hours to work, choice of shift, and access to various support services. Bailey noted that although this is a specialized approach, the job someone is placed in is not uniquely created for them but would be open to anyone. Bailey said this initial job placement is viewed as helping the client start a career.
Bailey said she personally manages a caseload of about 20 clients. She said there are people of all ages in the IPS program, but the majority are between the ages of 18 and 30 and usually have already held at least one job in their working career. Bailey said the IPS is a proven success model and read an excerpt from a letter from one client who said, “…I found a job I love and can be creative in.” Information on all of the behavioral healthcare services from the Northwestern Medicine Ben Gordon Center may be found at www.bengordoncenter.org.