Exploring IPS Implementation Within Federally Qualified Health Centers
Thursday 8/12/2021 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM CST
Representatives from the Building Evidence on Employment Strategies for Low Income Families (BEES) project and Impact Behavioral Health Partners will present on their efforts to implement and assess the effectiveness of an Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program within a Chicago-based Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). IPS is a model for supported employment for people with mental illness, and research has shown that it is a significantly effective program in the community mental health center context. It is now being studied in other settings, including FQHCs.
Presented by:
Christopher Knoper, Director of Participant Services--Impact Behavioral Health Partners
Christopher has been with Impact since January of 2014. Christopher is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), a certified benefits counselor (CPWIC), a certified IPS fidelity reviewer in the state of IL (CIPSFR) and has eight years of experience as an IPS practitioner. Christopher's position directs both the Clinical and Employment programs. Chris has demonstrated success in providing underserved populations with effective mental health services through innovation and thoughtful implementation. Chris believes in a goal-oriented approach which focuses on using data to increase effectiveness and building effective partnerships with other providers to collaborate around participants' needs.
Nicole Morris, Research Associate-MDRC
Nicole Morris joined MDRC in 2013. As a Research Associate for the Data Collection Unit (DCU), she supports MDRC teams across policy areas, focusing on practical guidance and cost-efficient solutions to ensure accurate and reliable survey data. Her experience includes survey design and questionnaire development, including cognitive interviewing. She facilitates the accurate translation of survey materials by certified translators and oversees relationships between survey subcontractors and project teams, ensuring that the data meets MDRC's high quality standards while observing timeline and budget constraints. She also serves as a site support liaison to help ensure successful partnerships with schools, employment agencies, and health care programs participating in MDRC studies. Her current project work includes Building Evidence on Employment Strategies (BEES), The Family Self-Sufficiency Program Evaluation and The XQ School Study. Prior to joining MDRC, Morris worked at human service agencies for individuals with developmental disabilities. She holds a bachelor's degree in economics from SUNY Albany and has a master's in applied social research from CUNY Queens College.
Anna Sack, Employment Program Manager--Impact Behavioral Health Partners
Anna Sack has her BSW from Cornerstone University and her MSW from The University of New England. Anna became a licensed social worker in December of 2020 and has been a Certified IPS Fidelity Reviewer since 2018. Anna started her social work career in child welfare case management which eventually led her to have a passion for those struggling with their mental health. Anna started at Impact in May of 2017 as an Employment Specialist and quickly found a passion helping individuals with severe mental illness find purpose and self-worth in competitive employment. Anna focuses on a strengths-based approach with participants and incorporates motivational interviewing as her core technique. Anna continues training and supervising current Employment Specialists to be the best support and advocate for their participants.
Caroline Mage, Research Associate-MDRC
Caroline Mage joined MDRC in 2010. As a Research Associate in the Youth, Criminal Justice, and Employment division of MDRC, she specializes in program implementation. She assesses the feasibility of research, collaborates with providers and stakeholders on program design, and manages the launch and day-to-day details of studies at the local level. She is currently the project manager for Building Evidence on Employment Strategies (BEES). She has also served as an implementation researcher for several MDRC evaluations of programs focusing on opportunity youth and parents involved with the child support system. She holds a master's in social work from the University of North Carolina School of Social Work.
