Individual Placement and Support for Young Adults With Mental Health Conditions: Perspectives of State and Team Leaders

The individual placement and support (IPS) model of supported employment, originally developed for adults with mental disorders, is increasingly being offered to new populations, including young adults. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of IPS state and team leaders on delivering IPS to young adults with mental health conditions.

This qualitative study involved individual and group interviews with IPS state and team leaders. The authors used data analysis to identify themes through a flexible coding approach and by creating a case matrix.

Interviews with 30 IPS state and team leaders from nine programs across five states identified two major themes: developmental characteristics of young adults and adaptations to IPS. Respondents described young adults as often uncertain about career goals and prone to frequent job changes, reflecting an extended phase of vocational exploration. Autonomy emerged as a core value. The most frequently reported adaptation was the addition of supported education. Respondents also described modifying engagement strategies-such as using preferred communication methods-and selectively involving families on the basis of youth preferences. Structural challenges, including housing instability and transportation barriers, further affected IPS delivery.

Delivering IPS to young adults requires addressing their unique developmental needs, including support for autonomy, vocational exploration, and educational attainment. IPS programs should integrate education supports, enhance engagement approaches, and involve families when appropriate. Addressing structural barriers through interagency coordination and improving funding mechanisms will be essential to expanding IPS access and delivering holistic, developmentally appropriate services to this population.