Individual Placement and Support (IPS)

You Don't Have to Wait to Start Working

Here's something we believe deeply: employment is a part of recovery, not a reward for it.

You don't need to be "better enough" or "stable enough" or "ready enough" to start thinking about work. If you want to work, that desire itself is part of your path forward.

That's the foundation of our IPS program. For over two decades, Alliance has helped people with mental health challenges find meaningful work. Not someday, but now. Work that matches who they are, what they're good at, and what they actually want to do with their lives.

Because a paycheck isn't only about money. It's about purpose. Connection. Confidence. It's about building the life you want, one shift at a time.

How IPS Works Differently

Most employment programs follow the "train first, work later" approach. You take classes, build your resume, practice interviews, and then—maybe—start looking for jobs.

IPS flips that script entirely.

We start with what you want. Not what we think you should do, or what jobs are "appropriate" for someone with mental health challenges. What do you actually want? Office work? Retail? Healthcare? Construction? Food service? We start there.

Then we help you find it—fast. Your Employment Specialist works with you to identify opportunities that fit your interests and strengths. No months of preparation. No endless training programs. We believe in getting you working quickly, because that's where real growth happens.

And we stick with you. This isn't a "good luck, see you later" situation. Your Employment Specialist stays involved—weekly at first, then as often as you need. They work directly with your mental health treatment team, so everyone's on the same page about your goals.

Need help navigating benefits? We've got you covered. Figuring out how work affects your TennCare or disability? We'll walk through it together. Run into challenges on the job? We're there to help you work through them.

The support doesn't have a time limit. Whether you need us for six months or six years, we're here.

Who This Program Is For

If you're an Alliance outpatient mental health client, you can participate in IPS. That's it. That's the requirement.

We mean it when we say zero exclusions. You don't need:

• A certain diagnosis

• Previous work experience

• A high school diploma

• To be off medications

• To prove you're "stable"

• Permission from your therapist

You just need to be:

• 18 or older

• A Shelby County resident

• Interested in working

Right now, we do have a waitlist—but don't let that stop you from reaching out. We'll notify you within five days when a spot opens up. And honestly? Sometimes just knowing you're on that list, that employment is a real possibility, can shift something in your recovery.

If you're a family member, friend, therapist, case manager, or anyone else who knows someone who might benefit from IPS: please make a referral. Have their Alliance provider complete a referral form and send it to our IPS team. You might be connecting someone to the very thing that changes their trajectory.

See Individual Placement in Action

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Current Alliance clients: Talk to your provider about completing a referral to the IPS team. They can submit it directly, and you'll hear from us within five days about your spot on the active list.

Not currently an Alliance client? Call us at 901-369-1410 to learn about getting connected to our outpatient mental health services first. Once you're established with a provider, they can refer you to IPS.

Questions about the program? Email our IPS team at IPS@alliance-hs.org. We're here to help.

Recovery looks different for everyone. For many people, it includes a job that gives them purpose, income, and a reason to get up in the morning. If that's what you're looking for, we'd love to help you find it.

This program is funded by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services