News and Information

2025 Wellness Through Employment Conference

IPS Supported Employment, Peer Wellness, Crisis Management, Substance Use Recovery, and Housing professionals from across the state came together for the annual Wellness Through Employment conference September 23 and 24. Attendees engaged with dynamic keynote speakers and expert panelists who brought fresh perspectives tothe challenges facing our fields. Beyond the programming, the conference provided opportunities for laughter, reflection, and meaningful peer
connections—moments of taking deep breaths together and hearing from each other that proved just as valuable as the structured learning.

Whether you were unable to attend or you would like to see it again, you can watch any of the conference presentations in the video player below.

SAMHSA Releases New IPS Toolkit

SAMHSA developed this evidence-based toolkit to provide state administrators, communities, clinicians, policymakers, and others with the information and tools to implement IPS, an evidence-based Supported Employment, for persons with mental illness to find and keep employment. The IPS model of Supported Employment is grounded in research showing the transformative power of employment as a path to recovery. Through IPS, people with mental health conditions are empowered to find and sustain competitive, meaningful work, fostering a greater sense of purpose and community.

SAMHSA Releases New IPS Toolkit

SAMHSA developed this evidence-based toolkit to provide state administrators, communities, clinicians, policymakers, and others with the information and tools to implement IPS, an evidence-based Supported Employment, for persons with mental illness to find and keep employment. The IPS model of Supported Employment is grounded in research showing the transformative power of employment as a path to recovery. Through IPS, people with mental health conditions are empowered to find and sustain competitive, meaningful work, fostering a greater sense of purpose and community.

Tennessee Hosts, Supports and Represents at the International IPS Conference

The International IPS Learning Community chose Tennessee to host its Annual Meeting this year, and it was an impactful event.  Representatives from at least seven countries and more than 30 US states met at the Nashville Airport Hilton to learn new applications, discuss emerging research, and celebrate the success of IPS implementation across the globe.  During the conference, MHSAS Assistant Director of Employment and Wellness Stephanie Cooper received the IPS Facilitator Award for excellent performance in keeping the Tennessee learning community supported through data collection, TA, fidelity monitoring, and state government leadership.  An employed member from Park Center shared about her recovery journey, from “rock bottom to, with support from her employment specialist, working a job she loves."  Prior to the conference, the TN IPS team met with England, Alaska, and Norway’s IPS teams to discuss IPS implementation successes and opportunities for growth.  AIM Center, CMI, Frontier Health, McNabb Center, Park Center, Pathways, TN Vocational Rehabilitation, TN IPS Benefits Counselors, TN IPS Trainers and the TDMHSAS Office of Wellness and Employment all had representatives at the conference to participate in sessions and some members of the TN team cofacilitated breakout sessions.   

Implementing IPS in Rural Communities

Advancing State Policy Integration for Recovery and Employment (ASPIRE) has published a new policy brief focused on expanding IPS services to people in rural areas.  Implementing Individual Placement and Support in Rural Communities: Barriers and Strategies describes barriers that program leaders face in implementing IPS in rural communities and the range of strategies used to eliminate these hurdles. The brief draws primarily on a qualitative study involving interviews with 27 IPS specialists in 15 states with successful IPS programs in rural communities.