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“Joanna”
Joanna, an individual who dealt with disabilities that had become very limiting, found herself in a dark place. Joanna had hit what she felt was the lowest point in her life. She was experiencing hallucinations and struggling with mental health challenges that were limiting her ability to live a full life. It was during this time Joanna chose to receive mental health treatment.
Through that journey she became connected to the IPS Supported Employment program and began working with a Supported Employment Specialist. Through working with the Supported Employment team, Joanna began planning and gained a new outlook on life. The program has helped Joanna gain competitive employment and go back to school to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Employment has given Joanna a new sense of family to be a part of and has helped her with having a purpose. Joanna feels the IPS Supported Employment services have helped improve her socialization and confidence, as well as helping her access Kansas Vocational Rehabilitation and KDHE Benefits Planning services, needed to be successful in her goals. Joanna has been competitively employed for just under a year and graduated the IPS Supported Employment program successfully in February 2025. “This program has been a blessing,” stated Joanna when asked about Supported Employment.
“In terms of comments or observations, her confidence, ability to see her own self-worth and purpose has improved tremendously," stated Joanna's therapist. "She has been able to improve her employment-based time management skills and reduce isolation. She is always joyful, and full of pride when discussing her role within her employment and expresses fulfillment in being able to provide care and reduce barriers for the individual she cares for. In being competitively employed she has been able to utilize her intellect, charismatic personality, and caring and compassionate traits to help others, which in turn has improved her own mental health.”
"Sarah"
Sarah was connected to the IPS Supported Employment program after struggling to find employment during a time when her mental health had become difficult to manage.
“I was really struggling to find a job. I kept getting rejected because I didn't have any work history,” stated Sarah. “My therapist has really helped me manage my mental health symptoms, especially with triggers of panic attacks.”
When asked about her biggest achievements since working with the IPS program, Sarah stated, "I feel like I am a lot more confident now. I’m not so afraid to ask questions anymore. IPS helped me get a job that I love and helped me enroll in the graphic design program at LCC. I feel excited about getting my degree in graphic design."
Mental health services have helped Sarah learn how to be more independent as well. For the first time since graduating from high school, Sarah is living on her own and enjoying a full life. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services purchased an aluminum bicycle for Sarah to use for transportation for work and school, which has given Sarah an additional sense of freedom by providing her with the ability to get around more easily.
"The IPS program has made it to where I no longer need to rely on my parents. I like being busy working on goals. Having this job allows me to earn money to pay all my bills weekly and still have money left over for myself. It feels good that my mother is so proud of me because I am more responsible and doing things for myself."
Sarah has been working very hard in her job to show she is dependable and has been working extra shifts to be eligible for a raise upon six months of employment, which is coming up in April.
“Since becoming employed Sarah has been observed to make leaps and bounds towards her transition into adulthood and fostering increased autonomy and independence,” stated Sarah’s therapist. “She has made improvement within her time management skills, reliability, as well as problem solving skills. Sarah is a hard worker, with a warm and energetic personality, and a willingness to learn and grow in working towards her goals, Sarah has been able to maintain the difficult balance of employment, alongside her first year of college with determination and drive.”
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