Program fidelity is essentially a recipe to follow to get the desired final product and outcomes. The recipe specifies not only the necessary ingredients but also their precise amounts or doses. An evidence-based practice is to be clearly defined (i.e., the ingredients and doses specified) and produce positive outcomes.
Individual Placement and Support (IPS) has a fidelity tool that can be used to assess the extent to which the IPS “recipe” is being followed. This, in turn, can guide quality improvement efforts. Fidelity tools are also of interest to policymakers and funders, as they can serve as a measure of quality at a particular point in time.
For more information on the IPS Fidelity Tool, visit the IPS Employment Center, hosted by the developers of the IPS model and fidelity tool: https://ipsworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Final-Fidelity-Manual-Fourth-Edition-112619.pdf.
photo: Bonnie Kittle
Outer Banks, NC
