History of the Illinois IPS Expansion Initiative

In 2014, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services funded a national initiative called, Transforming Lives through Supported Employment (SM-14-011). The purpose of this program is to enhance state capacity to expand evidence-based supported employment programs for adults with mental illnesses. Supported employment provides participants with opportunities to contribute to their communities through competitive employment. Research shows that supported employment helps people achieve and sustain mental health recovery.

As a participating state, Illinois has been called upon to expand supported employment services throughout the state, while increasing competitive employment among people in mental health recovery. To achieve these goals, Illinois is expanding its use of an evidence-based model called Individual Placement and Support or IPS. In multiple rigorous studies, IPS has proven successful in helping people with mental illnesses become and stay employed, through a combination of vocational, clinical, and peer supports. Two robust IPS programs are serving as evaluation sites for this CMHS-funded initiative in Illinois: Thresholds Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centers and Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare, Incorporated (see Illinois Project Sites to learn more).

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IPS Principles
  • Every client who wants to work is eligible for IPS services
  • Competitive jobs are the primary goal of supported employment
  • Supported employment services are integrated with comprehensive mental health treatment
  • Personalized benefits counseling is provided to every IPS client
  • People are placed in jobs when they say they’re ready
  • Employment specialists receive extensive training in supported employment and in developing relationships with businesses and other employment opportunities
  • IPS clients receive job supports for as long as required
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Illinois Sites for the 2014 SAMHSA-funded IPS Project


Thresholds Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centers

Supported employment is a cornerstone of Thresholds’ diverse array of services, helping clients live their lives with dignity, independence, and respect by obtaining paid employment. By partnering with more than 150 area employers to help clients find jobs, Thresholds’ Supported Employment Program places clients in jobs of their choice to create economic independence and further their recovery.


Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare, Incorporated

Trilogy’s Supported Employment Program provides clients with direct placement in competitive jobs in real-world settings with accompanying on-site and as-needed support services, which are designed to help individuals perform their job. Employment Specialists (ES) identify and build relationships with community-based employers and worksites to develop job placements and settings identified by the clients.

Illinois IPS Web Portal
Thanks for visiting this web portal! It is a one-stop source of information on all things IPS supported employment in Illinois and beyond. Through it, people with lived experience of mental illness, their family and friends, service providers, advocates, and employers will find a wealth of information about promoting productive and satisfying work for people with disabilities.