Benefits, Employment and Education
This evidence-based, best-practice approach to supported employment and education empowers clients to work toward their dream job while continuing to see their care team for treatment goals.
If you receive benefits and you have a job, are looking for work, or are transitioning from school to work, we have specially trained professionals, Certified Work Incentive Coordinators (CWIC benefit planners), who can help you make sense of complex employment and benefit-related issues. Our CWIC benefit planners provide confidential, individualized analysis, planning, and assistance to help individuals with disabilities understand how employment income and work activities may affect their federal and state benefits. Any person who wants to work is eligible for the IPS employment program, even if receiving SSI and SSDI benefits. Our goal is to connect you with competitive jobs.
CWIC benefit planners are both part of agency treatment teams and our employment program. CWIC benefits planners, along with employment specialists, work together to maximize benefits strategically and help you reach your financial goals. Groups are also available to better help with general knowledge of benefits.
Program Features:
- Every person who wants help obtaining or retaining employment or education is eligible.
- Competitive jobs are the goal of BEE.
- BEE employment services are integrated with your mental health treatment team.
- Personalized benefits education can be provided.
- Job searches begin soon after you express interest in working.
- Services are individualized based on what the client wants to work on and the level of support they would like IPS to provide.
Benefits of Involvement in the BEE Program:
- BEE specialists go at the client’s preferred pace for services and assist with all areas of employment and education.
- Staff can work with managers to assist clients in advocating for themselves in supporting their treatment and wellness goals.
- The program has contact specialists who actively work with employers and education partners to assist clients in obtaining their employment or educational goals, as well as assessing if locations meet the client’s preferences and needs.
IPS Program Q&A
No, we believe that work is recovery. We do not judge and want clients to be safe regardless of the current situation. For client and staff safety, we cannot hold a session if someone is actively under the influence but can reschedule for a better time to meet.
Staff will assist clients with all aspects of preparation for work including but not limited to resume building and interview skills as well as assisting with on-the-job supports and job coaching. We encourage clients to continue meeting with their BEE clinician after they get employed for continued support as well.
Session duration, frequency, and location are customized to the client’s needs, with options ranging from meeting once a month for 30 minutes over telehealth to meeting once a week for 1 hour in the community. The first couple of sessions can include assessments to ensure client preferences are honored while working in the program.
If a client is identifying IPS goals to work on and is engaged in the service, the service is time-unlimited.
Walk-ins are strongly discouraged since we cannot guarantee an IPS specialist will be at an FCS location since much of their time is spent in the community. We recommend clients making and keeping appointments to ensure goals are continually worked on by both clients and IPS specialists.
BEE staff can assist clients in applying for FAFSA, getting connected with training courses or obtaining certifications, practicing study tips, and advocating with teachers or institutes for assistance.
That’s great! We provide treatment teams with job leads frequently so these needs can be met by the case manager or someone on the treatment team. If you change your mind and decide you are interested, you can always be referred to the program.
Yes, they will assist in helping anyone apply for benefits.
Our team can help clients apply for all benefits and educate them on how benefits can be impacted by employment or income. This allows clients to make a more informed decision regarding their finances and recovery goals.
Yes, our program has many groups at several of the FCS sites as well as through telehealth options. While we have many group topics available, our most popular are centered around pre-employment, computer literacy, financial education, and benefits.