In October 2023, California submitted the pending BH-CONNECT demonstration application, which seeks to establish a robust continuum of evidence-based community services for people with significant mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders. As part of the broader BH-CONNECT initiative, DHCS is also seeking State Plan authority to make the IPS model of Supported Employment services available at County option in the Specialty Mental Health (SMH), Drug MediCal (DMC), and Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) delivery systems. The County’s Behavioral Health Services is interested in learning more about: • Supported Employment and Social Enterprises • Providing Supported Employment in the large service areas in San Diego County. • Effective Supported Employment interventions for individuals with a substance use diagnosis. The Supported Employment (SE) program provides an array of job opportunities to help adults with serious mental illness obtain competitive employment. The program uses a comprehensive approach that is community-based, client and family-driven, and culturally competent. The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Model is an evidence-based model of SE for individuals with severe mental illness, with the goal of helping these individuals gain competitive employment in the field/placement of their choice.
