Agency | Supervisor | Title | |
---|---|---|---|
CREOKS | Nia Stokes | IPS Supervisor | nia.stokes@creoks.org |
Counseling & Recovery Services of OK | Lisa Alford | Outpatient Speciality Services IPS Supervisor | lalford@crsok.org |
F&C WIR | Nacita Torres | IPS Supervisor | ntorres@fcsok.org |
Family & Children's Services | Alicia Zuern | IPS Program Supervisor | azuern@fcsok.org |
GRAND | Karla Jones | IPS Program Manager | karjones@glmhc.net |
Green Country | Meghan Combs | IPS Supported Employment & Education Coordinator | meghan.combs@gcbhs.org |
Hope Community Services | Carla Ray | IPS Supervisor | csray@hopecsi.org |
Jim Taliaferro | Summer Hurleyjacks | Project Manager | summer.hurleyjacks@odmhsas.org |
Lighthouse Behavioral Wellness Centers | Kelsey Harder | IPS Supervisor | kharder@lighthouseok.com |
Mental Health Association Oklahoma | NuToyla Chatman | Manager of Employment First | nchatman@mhat.org |
Red Rock | Debra Prim | IPS Project Director | dprim@red-rock.com |
Individual Placement and Support (IPS)
What is IPS?
Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is a model of supported employment for people with serious mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar, depression). IPS supported employment helps people living with behavioral health conditions work at regular jobs of their choosing. Although variations of supported employment exist, IPS refers to the evidence-based practice of supported employment. Mainstream education and technical training are included as ways to advance career paths. IPS is based on 8 principles.
“The IPS program has been very helpful. The support of my IPS Specialist has been very helpful. He has come out and visit w/me. He really cares about my success. I strongly encourage others to participate in the program.”

Information about the IPS Approach
IPS specialists strive to build relationships with businesses by visiting in person and learning about individual company cultures, preferences, and needs. When IPS specialists approach businesses, they do so based on individual job seeker skills, strengths, and interests for work. In this way, IPS specialists may be viewed as an extension of the human resources team at the company with the added bonus of being a cost-free service. Not only do IPS specialists take time and care to get to know each business and each individual job seeker to create a good match, but they are also available after a person is hired to assist with onboarding, training, and problem-solving which helps to ensure success for both the employee and the employer.

“The IPS support program along with my co-workers and Supervisor here at Oklahoma Joe’s, life has been great! Theo has been very supportive throughout my employment. He has stayed in constant contact with me. he has supported me by following up with me. I thank the IPS program for providing me with a $50 appreciation gift card. IPS rocks!”
Training for IPS
To provide IPS services in Oklahoma, you must be credentialled through ODMHSAS. To learn more about IPS training and how to start an IPS team, contact Lindsay Horn.
If you are a current IPS team and have questions regarding IPS fidelity, contact Lisa Mears.