IPS Program

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Averte is proud to be part of the Individual Placement and Services (IPS) program through Dartmouth Hospital.  An IPS representative works with our program weekly to assist with vocational desires.  Below is an excerpt from the latest Natalia mental health foundation newsletter featuring Dr. Jennifer McLaren.

 

Jennifer McLaren, M.D., is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and The Dartmouth Institute. Dr. McLaren is the medical director for New Hampshire Bureau of Developmental Services and the medical director for New Hampshire START. Her clinical practice focuses on caring for children, adolescents and adults with autism and neurodevelopmental disabilities. She is the director of the Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental Service Program at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.

Dr. McLaren oversees a supported employment program for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and for individuals living at Averte. She has several grants focused on enhancing and expanding services for people with autism spectrum disorder in New Hampshire. She is also part of the Vulnerable Children’s Research Group at The Dartmouth Institute. The aim of this group is to improve mental health and social services for vulnerable children and their families through research, policy, partnerships with people with lived experience, and clinical services.

Dr. McLaren received her B.A. from Notre Dame and her M.D. from the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Rutgers University.
Q&A with Jennifer L. McLaren

Q: What are the main scientific questions you pursue in your work?

A: I am interested in utilizing a supported employment model called Individual Placement and Support (IPS), developed at Dartmouth for adults with serious mental illness in patient populations that typically do not have access to IPS. The IPS model has been used successfully for people with serious mental illness. But IPS supported employment services are not widely available to people with serious mental illness at residential programs or to individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Q: How are those questions/answers important to schizophrenia and mental health disorders?

A: IPS helps individuals with schizophrenia and mental health disorders obtain and maintain competitive employment. People who receive IPS are almost 3 times more likely to work in competitive employment compared to people receiving other types of vocational services. Two-thirds of IPS participants in the US gain employment, have higher earnings, higher rates of job retention, more work hours, improved mental health, and greater satisfaction with life when compared to other vocational services/rehabilitation programs. The costs for IPS are relatively modest.

We help people to find meaningful jobs, and provide ongoing supports for job success. The core principles of IPS include: consumer choice, individualized job matching, integrated health and vocational services, job development, competitive employment in regular work settings, personalized follow-on support, and benefits counseling.

Q: What, if anything, do you find unique or interesting about the content of the research or consortium of researchers funded by the NMHF?  

A: The Natalia Mental Health Foundation takes a thoughtful, comprehensive and innovative approach to improving the quality of life for people with serious mental illness. I have been impressed by the breadth of research that the Natalia Mental Health Foundation has funded and its commitment to fostering collaboration.

Q: Why have you agreed to collaborate with the NMHF?  What do you hope to achieve?

A: I am honored that the Natalia Mental Health Foundation has funded out program. I hope to help improve the quality of lives for people with serious mental illness by helping them gain employment. I would love to see more programs utilizing IPS.

Q: How will families and those with mental illness be affected by the research work of the NMHF?

A: The Natalia Mental Health Foundation will help advance the field in further understanding schizophrenia and ways to better support people with schizophrenia.

Q: What is your personal motivation to work on the mental health space?

A: I am passionate about working with vulnerable patient populations. My older brother has an intellectual disability. I have seen firsthand the difference employment has had on his life and on my parents.