Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

IPS: Learning Collaborative

The Wisconsin Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Learning Collaborative brings together people using the IPS model across the state to share ideas on how to serve people better.

Training courses

The Wisconsin IPS Learning Collaborative offers many virtual training classes that are open to all IPS agencies in Wisconsin. Send an email to dhsdctsips@dhs.wisconsin.gov to schedule training if there is not a time scheduled below or the time does not work for you or your team. Training can be conducted in person by request.

Continuing education hours are available to people who complete these training courses. For more information, send an email to dhsdctsips@dhs.wisconsin.gov

Have you participated in an IPS training hosted by a member of the IPS Wisconsin team? Please share your feedback. Use this online form.

Scheduled course

The following course is the only course with a regular class schedule.

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation partnership for IPS services

This interactive course covers the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation's (DVR) mission, values, and structure. It also covers the process from referral to initial appointment with the DVR to write the Individualized Plan for Employment. General roles for DVR, the employment specialist, and consumer also are covered. In addition, participants will learn practical applications of DVR technical specifications (tech specs) for IPS. Participants follow a mock consumer from referral to DVR file closure. This course also includes a discussion of the typical reports required at each stage in the DVR process. Common issues that can come along the way are discussed.

No classes are scheduled at this time.

Join the Zoom meeting

By request courses

The following courses are offered live upon request.

Co-occurring disorders

This course helps staff to think about specific strategies that they can use to help people with co-occurring disorders (substance use disorder and mental health issue).

Good clinical documentation

This course provides information regarding the why’s, what’s, and how’s for best practice in clinical case notes. IPS employment specialists will learn an overview of different case noting techniques and have an opportunity ask questions on how these techniques can apply to specific county requirements.

Including families in the employment process

This course helps staff understand who the family is for each job seeker and the role family members can play in the job seeker’s life. This course also includes a discussion about what to do when family members are not supportive in employment.

Individualized plans

This course helps the team think about how to get to know each person to complete the career profile with valuable information. How to use the information in the career profile to complete individualize plans and to conduct systematic job development is covered. This course also includes a discussion about the job development plan and job support plan.

IPS 101

This course provides an overview of the eight principles that encompass the spirit of IPS. This course also includes a discussion of the research conducted on the IPS model.

IPS data and tracking

This course is for employment specialists and supervisors to review items and documentations required to achieve good fidelity. There is also a review of other tracking opportunities for quality improvement.

Job development - the IPS way

This course focuses on the Three Cups of Tea Model and the importance of building a relationship with businesses based on job seeker’s preferences.

Justice involvement

This course helps staff to think about strategies they can use to help people with criminal histories. This course also includes a discussion about how to talk about a person criminal record.

Motivational interviewing: OARS skills

This course covers the basics of motivational interviewing with focus on open questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summary reflections, the OARS skills. Through small group and large group activities and discussions, participants learn strategies that can be used with job seekers throughout the process of finding employment and/or education.

Symptoms or habits? How mental illness can affect employment

This course teaches participants to recognize how a person's mental illness is affecting their employment. This information can be helpful in modifying interventions with insight from the person's clinical team. Watch a recording of this course.

Techniques of engagement

This course provides information through small and large group activities on strategies to keep job seekers, employers, clinical teams, family, and other supports engaged.

Workplace supports: Using systematic instruction

This course provides strategies to support someone once they have obtained employment, including techniques to promote independence and use of natural supports. Participants will also learn techniques for gathering information needed to complete the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation's job and task analysis.


Meetings

Employment specialists and vocational rehabilitation counselors

This meeting is held to give IPS employment specialists and vocational rehabilitation counselors around the state an opportunity to collaborate, share strategies, and strengthen knowledge about IPS fidelity and how IPS works with the policies and practices with the Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

This meeting is held the second Wednesday every three months from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Join the Zoom meeting

Becoming an expert employment specialist

This meeting is held to give IPS employment specialists a space to collaborate with each other and share ideas for great IPS services. It is an opportunity to share job leads and strategies for working with employers and job seekers. Participants also will gain an understanding the how to implement IPS fidelity.

This meeting is held the fourth Tuesday every month from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Join the Zoom meeting

  • May 28, 2024: Systematic job development and first cup: introduction statements
  • June 25, 2024: Systematic job development and second cup: questions 
  • July 23, 2024: Systematic job development and third cup and beyond: employer engagement 
  • August 27, 2024: Advocacy statements 
  • September 24, 2024: Responding to difficult employer questions and statements 
  • October 22, 2024: Finding strengths in the midst of barriers 
  • November 26, 2024: Using work history to create a resume 
  • December 17, 2024: (changed due to holidays) Determining support needs

Supervisors

This meeting is held to give IPS supervisors an opportunity to collaborate, share strategies, and strengthen knowledge about IPS fidelity.

This meeting is held the second Wednesday of every other month from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Join the Zoom meeting


Information on vocational rehabilitation services

For the technical specifications of the vocational rehabilitation services available under the IPS model, visit the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's website.


Do you have a question about IPS? Email the IPS Wisconsin team.

Last revised April 24, 2024