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.
Annual meeting
IPS providers, Tribal nation and county behavioral health providers, counselors associated with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, certified peer specialists, and people who want to expand their knowledge, skills, and abilities related to supported employment practices are invited to attend the annual IPS meeting.
The primary purpose of the annual meeting is to provide a professional development opportunity for the IPS Wisconsin community. It also serves as an opportunity to grow the IPS Wisconsin community by giving agencies interested in offering IPS an opportunity to learn about the benefits of IPS.
The 2024 annual meeting was held in Wausau on July 16. Materials from this meeting are no longer available. The date and location of the 2025 annual meeting has not yet been set.
Send questions or concerns about the annual IPS meeting to dhsdctsips@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
IPS Foundations training courses
The Wisconsin IPS Learning Collaborative offers many virtual training classes through Microsoft Teams that are open to all IPS agencies in Wisconsin. Continuing education hours are available to people who complete these training courses. For more information, contact dhsdctsips@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
IPS 101
September 17, 2024
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
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.
Join the September 17 class.
Career profile and individualized plans
September 19, 2024
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
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 individualized plans and to conduct systematic job development is covered. This course also includes a discussion about the job development plan and job support plan—and will explore individualized supports based on job seekers needs.
Join the September 19 class.
Including families and data and tracking
September 23, 2024
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
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. There will be a discussion about what to do when family members are not supportive in employment. The course will also review items and documentations required to achieve good fidelity—and will review other tracking opportunities for quality improvement.
Join the September 23 class.
Co-occurring disorders and justice involvement
October 1, 2024
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
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) and criminal histories. This course also includes a discussion about how to talk about a person criminal record.
Systematic job development
October 4, 2024
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
This course will focus on the Three Cups of Tea Model and the importance of building a relationship with business based on a job seeker's preferences.
OARS+I for Employment Specialists
October 7, 2024
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
This course will introduce the OARS+I practice profile for employment specialists and cover the core components of the practice profile. This course also includes at least 20 minutes of employment specialist practice.
Join the October 7 class.
IPS 101
October 28, 2024
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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.
Career profile and individualized plans
October 30, 2024
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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 individualized plans and to conduct systematic job development is covered. This course also includes a discussion about the job development plan and job support plan—and will explore individualized supports based on job seekers needs.
Including families and data and tracking
November 4, 2024
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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. There will be a discussion about what to do when family members are not supportive in employment. The course will also review items and documentations required to achieve good fidelity—and will review other tracking opportunities for quality improvement.
Co-occurring disorders and justice involvement
November 7, 2024
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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) and criminal histories. This course also includes a discussion about how to talk about a person criminal record.
Systematic job development
November 12, 2024
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
This course will focus on the Three Cups of Tea Model and the importance of building a relationship with business based on a job seeker's preferences.
OARS+I for Employment Specialists
November 14, 2024
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
This course will introduce the OARS+I practice profile for employment specialists and cover the core components of the practice profile. This course also includes at least 20 minutes of employment specialist practice.
Join the November 14 class.
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation partnership for IPS services
No classes are scheduled at this time.
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.
Have you participated in an IPS training hosted by a member of the IPS Wisconsin team? Please share your feedback. Use this online form.
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 employment specialists and vocational rehabilitation counselors 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 becoming an expert employment specialist meeting.
- 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.
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? Contact dhsdctsips@dhs.wisconsin.gov.