Focus on competitive employment: Agencies providing IPS services are committed to competitive employment as an attainable goal for people with behavioral health conditions seeking employment.

Zero exclusion criteria based on client choice: People are not excluded based on readiness, diagnoses, symptoms, substance use history, psychiatric hospitalizations, homelessness, level of disability, or legal system involvement.

Integration of rehabilitation and mental health services: IPS programs are closely integrated with mental health treatment teams.

Attention to worker preferences: Services are based on each person’s preferences and choices.

Personalized benefits counseling: Employment specialists help people obtain personalized, understandable, and accurate information about their social security, Medicaid, and other government entitlements.

Rapid job search: IPS programs use a rapid job search approach to help job seekers obtain jobs directly, rather than providing lengthy preemployment assessment, training, and counseling.

Systematic job development: Employment specialists systematically visit employers to learn about their business needs and hiring preferences.

Time-unlimited and individualized support: Job supports are individualized and continue for as long as each worker wants and needs the support.