Picture this: You’re focusing on your mental health and want to work, but you’re unsure how to connect with the right employer or what support will be available once you start. That’s where IPS Supported Employment makes the difference.
Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is designed for people living with mental health conditions. Instead of requiring long training programs or “practice” jobs, IPS helps individuals step directly into real, paid work in the community. It matches people with jobs they want and provides ongoing support for as long as needed. So, recovery and employment move forward together.
In Tennessee, IPS services are available in 46 counties through 17 provider agencies. In 2024 alone, IPS supported more than 1,600 people, including young adults preparing for work. Nearly half of the participants found jobs, and many stayed employed beyond the first several months. With new funding, the program can now serve around 2,000 people each year, with a long-term goal of reaching all 95 counties.
A job means more than income. It can bring structure, confidence, and a sense of progress. By connecting employment with mental health support, IPS helps Tennesseans move from recovery to opportunity and into lasting work.
Work has the power to transform lives, and IPS ensures that transformation is within reach.
To learn more or connect with IPS services in your area, visit the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services website.