August 2025 CPS & CPPS Community of Practice
Christy Sprotte, Ed.S., CPPS, is currently a parent peer advocate supporting families whose children have significant mental health needs. As a former school psychologist, she has over 20 years of experience in assessing and supporting neurodivergent youth with Autism, ADHD, and related needs. Christy is also a certified mindfulness teacher who supports families in promoting more peace + presence in their homes by teaching skills to promote nervous system regulation. Christy is a Midwest mom to two amazing neurodivergent children. She loves crafting, cats, and coffee (not necessarily in that order).
You play a powerful role in walking alongside parents of neurodivergent youth—offering connection, hope, and lived wisdom. This presentation will deepen your understanding of neurodivergence, and the complex challenges families often face, from emotional regulation struggles to navigating medical and educational systems that can feel overwhelming and isolating.
We will explore how nervous system dysregulation impacts both neurodivergent children and their caregivers, and discover trauma-informed, practical tools you can use—and share—to support co-regulation, build resilience, and foster a sense of calm and connection. We’ll also cover key school-based supports, including IEPs and 504 plans, and ways to empower parents as effective advocates within the educational system.
Ideal for parent peer specialists, peer specialists, community advocates, and clinicians working with neurodivergent families, this interactive session offers hands-on tools, real-life scenarios, and space for reflection.
Feedback Survey/CEH Information:
We invite you to please fill out the evaluation survey link (click here) if you attended this community of practice gathering or if you watch the recording. The survey will close at 4:30pm on Thursday, September 4th. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on September 11th, 2025. No evaluation surveys will be accepted for CEH credit after the evaluation survey’s closing date/time.
This website is managed and maintained by staff at Access to Independence working on the Wisconsin Peer Specialist Employment Initiative. The words, views, and values presented herein are not necessarily representative of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
March 2025 CPS & CPPS Community of Practice
Objectives to this community of practice gathering: To increase understanding of peer support within institutions; its power, value, connection, and intersectionality. Increase collaboration between those who serve and those we serve. Advocating for expanding peer support throughout all carceral systems.
Feedback Survey/CEH Information:
We invite you to please fill out the evaluation survey link (click here) if you attended this community of practice gathering or if you watch the recording. The survey will close at 4:30pm on Thursday, April 3rd. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on April 10th, 2025. No evaluation surveys will be accepted for CEH credit after the evaluation survey’s closing date/time.
This website is managed and maintained by staff at Access to Independence working on the Wisconsin Peer Specialist Employment Initiative. The words, views, and values presented herein are not necessarily representative of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
July 2024 CPS & CPPS Community of Practice
You might be wondering why and where re-entry fits in my life. I am a mother of 5 children, 2 girls and 3 boys. Of my 5 children I have had 2 older boys in and out of the State of Wisconsin DOC system. I also worked for the DOC for a very short time and found that working in a prison was just like being in prison with them. I have struggled helping my 2 boys stay out of prison from the day they went in. I wanted to find ways to help them, so I began my long road to finding answers. I started by researching ways to help my loved one, and I found I thought I knew how to help but it was wrong.
Between research, working in the prison system and asking questions to in house prisoners I found that each person is an individual and each person’s needs are different even though they might be the same.
The topic will be re-entry from prison to home viewing this from both sides. During this conversation I will explain both sides, how can they connect and have better communication. We will explore areas of need for both sides of re-entry. Reminding the new releasee and the family by working together we can reduce recidivism.
The process of starting over. There will be a discussion pertaining to both sides of re-entry with expectations of the new releasees and the expectations of the family members. Ana will bring up the topic of conditioned individuals and how to communicate these feelings, a discussion of the word S.O.U.P. and what it means. Available resources will also be shared and depending on the size of the session, Ana will do a mini-introduction of each of us.
We invite you to please fill out the evaluation survey link (click here) if you attended this community of practice gathering or if you watch the recording. The survey will close at 4:30pm on Thursday, August 1st. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on August 8th, 2024. No evaluation surveys will be accepted for CEH credit after the evaluation survey’s closing date/time.
This website is managed and maintained by staff at Access to Independence working on the Wisconsin Peer Specialist Employment Initiative. The words, views, and values presented herein are not necessarily representative of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
June 2024 CPS & CPPS Supervisor Community of Practice
Thursday, June 20th, 2024 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm CT
Recognized for my ability to lead with clarity and compassion, I have successfully directed large-scale community initiatives, including a multi-year recovery and addiction awareness event that saw exponential growth in participation and visibility under my leadership. My professional credentials include a bachelor’s degree, certification as a peer specialist, peer specialist training facilitator, and opiate impacted family support specialist. I have held key roles across diverse service settings—from shelters and crisis services to targeted case management—consistently building systems and strategies that enhance service quality and reach.
I believe that every person holds the potential to build a life of meaning, and that our greatest work is to create pathways where that potential can flourish. For me, leadership is not about titles—it’s about building systems that empower, relationships that uplift, and opportunities that transform challenges into victories. My commitment is to ensure that the work I do continues to open doors, inspire hope, and strengthen the belief that no future is beyond reach.
Our “Mission Drift” workshop explores how to balance idealism with the challenging realities of working in systemic environments. As peer specialists, we act as catalysts for change, bringing essential and fresh perspectives to places that may not fully recognize or value our unique approach, which emphasizes individual-focused care and uplifting marginalized voices. We’ll discuss how initial enthusiasm can sometimes fade when faced with the complexities of the workplace. This workshop will delve into self-care, maintaining our integrity, and developing strategies for peer specialists to effectively navigate these dynamics. Our goal is for each participant to leave equipped with the tools to succeed without compromising their core values.
We invite you to please fill out the evaluation survey link (click here) if you attended this community of practice gathering or if you watch the recording. The survey will close at 4:30pm on Thursday, July 11th. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on July 18th, 2024. No evaluation surveys will be accepted for CEH credit after the evaluation survey’s closing date/time.
This website is managed and maintained by staff at Access to Independence working on the Wisconsin Peer Specialist Employment Initiative. The words, views, and values presented herein are not necessarily representative of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
June 2024 CPS & CPPS Community of Practice
Thursday, June 20th, 2024 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm CT
In “Breaking Down Stigma Barriers”, you will learn how to: address and recognize stigma barriers, recognize what stigma looks like, how to use compassion, support, and understanding to address stigma and change outcomes.
We invite you to please fill out the evaluation survey link (click here) if you attended this community of practice gathering or if you watch the recording. The survey will close at 4:30pm on Thursday, July 4th. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on July 11th, 2024. No evaluation surveys will be accepted for CEH credit after the evaluation survey’s closing date/time.
This website is managed and maintained by staff at Access to Independence working on the Wisconsin Peer Specialist Employment Initiative. The words, views, and values presented herein are not necessarily representative of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
