Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services earns top rating in peer review
Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services received an exemplary rating for its Individual Placement and Support employment services, which are offered to people who receive mental health services in Henrico, New Kent and Charles City counties.
The finding of “exemplary fidelity” was made in the first review of MHDS’ adherence to IPS standards. Peer reviewers from Virginia’s Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services and Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services reached their findings after conducting site visits, meeting with employers and staff, reviewing records and attending team meetings.
In a report, one reviewer described MHDS as having a “strong agency-wide focus on competitive employment, including routine sharing of employment outcomes and success stories.” Another noted, “It was just an amazing example of services being delivered so well.”
“Our staff are mission focused and results driven,” MHDS Executive Director Laura Totty said. “We have deeply committed staff who seek out best practices in our field to provide the most effective outcomes.”
Developed during the past 30 years, IPS is an internationally recognized model designed to help people with behavioral health conditions work jobs of their choosing. The model, developed by the nonprofit Individual Placement and Support Employment Center, supports career paths based on both traditional education and technical training. Virginia recently recognized IPS as a model of best practices for helping adults with behavioral health conditions find success and fulfillment in work.
MHDS has seen improvements in employment outcomes since adopting IPS in September 2024. As of March, 164 people diagnosed with serious mental illness and served by MHDS were employed. It’s the first agency in Virginia to have received a “good” or “exemplary” rating in its first review, and it holds the only top rating in the state.
The rating reflects strong implementation of IPS principles as well as extensive research, education, training and collaboration with community employers, officials said. It also demonstrates, they added, strong integration within the broader behavioral health system as well as a commitment to supporting people as they seek and retain in-demand positions.
