Employment Support Programs

Employment First

Iowa HHS is involved in initiatives to increase the number of people with disabilities competitively employed in their communities. These efforts are called Employment First (E1st). E1st is the belief that everyone can work and be involved in their community, regardless of disability. Public E1st systems rely on services that promote Community Integrated Employment (CIE) as the first choice for people with significant disabilities. Employment First recognizes that employment is what most individuals with disabilities want to do and is:

• A typical role for adults in our society.
• An essential part of wellbeing.
• A cost-effective alternative to day treatment.
• Assisting individuals with self-esteem, symptom control, and fewer hospitalizations.
• Helping individuals use their talents and building a career.

Who We Work With

Employment First Resources

Learn more about the history of E1st within the state of Iowa:

• Projects, Partnerships, and Initiatives (2.08 MB) .pdf
• The Guidebook (2 MB) .pdf
• Recordings
  • Employment 101
    • Employment First 101: The Basics (1.14 MB) .pdf
  • Employment 102
    • Employment First 102: SE Models (1.27 MB) .pdf
  • Employment 103
    • Employment First 103: Success Stories (1.35 MB) .pdf
  • Employment 201

Iowa HHS will continue to apply for federal opportunities to help us implement E1st for students and adults with disabilities to participate fully in their communities.

Individual Placement and Support (IPS)

In 2019, Iowa began a relationship with The IPS Employment Center to bring the evidence-based practice of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of supported employment to Iowa. As of 2025, Iowa has two full-time trained IPS State Trainers/Fidelity Reviewers, and three trained adjunct Fidelity Reviewers, serving IPS teams across Iowa. These teams provide IPS services to the people in Iowa. We strive to grow this service by one to three teams per year, until all Iowa counties have access.

• IPS Employment Supports Map and Contact Information (507.35 KB) .pdf

Below is a video of a member who successfully obtained employment through IPS services.