Evidence Based Practice

The Individual Placement and Support model of supported employment (IPS) for individuals with serious mental illness has been designated an evidence based practice by the Center for Mental Health Services and the State of Oregon and meets the following criteria:

• The program model has been validated by rigorous research.

• Guidelines describe the critical components.

• A treatment manual and empirically validated fidelity scale are readily available.

• Successful implementations have occurred in a wide range of settings.

13 of 13 studies have demonstrated that IPS achieves significantly better employment outcomes than other employment models (60% competitive employment with IPS vs. 22% without). Other benefits include better control of psychiatric symptoms, higher self-esteem, and more satisfaction with finances and with leisure (Bond et al., 2001).