April 2024 CPS & CPPS Community of Practice

“Healing Connection: Addressing Compassion Fatigue & Burnout”
with Karen Iverson Riggers & Lynn McLaughlin

Thursday, April 18th, 2024 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm CT

Facilitator:
  • Karen Iverson Rigger
    Karen Iverson Riggers is a writer, entrepreneur, activist, advocate, trainer, and Mom. She is a trainer of Emotional CPR and Emotions Education 101 and co-creator of “The Missing Piece: Emotions & Wellness” and “Listening to Trauma” curricula. She is a founding worker/owner of Ebb & Flow Connections Cooperative, a Wisconsin based worker owned cooperative that provides training, consultation, and listening spaces related to emotional health and wellness. Along with Lynn McLaughlin, she launched the Real Vibes Only podcast in 2022 which talks about real life and emotions. She utilizes her own lived experience in the mental health system to advocate for change and create community spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued, just as they are. Karen lives in Appleton with her partner Eric and their three children Nick, Quinn, and Ari.
  • Lynn McLaughlin
    Lynn McLaughlin is an entrepreneur, peer, trainer, advocate, and Mom. Her lived experience, education and training has created a deep empathy for human challenges and a commitment to provide hope to others at every opportunity. Lynn is a trainer of Emotional CPR and Emotions Education 101 and co-creator of “The Missing Piece: Emotions & Wellness” and “Listening to Trauma” curricula. She is passionate about creating non-clinical community spaces that enhance social connection and combat social isolation and loneliness in communities. Lynn is a founding worker/owner of Ebb & Flow Connections Cooperative, a Wisconsin based worker owned cooperative that provides training, consultation, and listening spaces related to emotional health and wellness. Along with Karen Iverson Riggers, Lynn launched a weekly podcast in 2022 called “Real Vibes Only” which shares authentically on real life and emotions. Lynn received her BA in Communications from Marian University. She is mom to her adult daughter Emma who lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. Lynn lives in Neenah with her two pups—Lennon and Esther. 
Description:

For folks who work with their hearts and support others, compassion fatigue and burnout are very real and very common side effects of witnessing trauma and holding space for grief and loss. There’s often not a lot of support for those who are supporting others. Often, we are told to engage in self-care or “go away and come back when you are ‘better.”

We will explore the power of healing in relationship and community care vs. self-care (individual). Becoming aware of the emotional component of compassion fatigue and burnout will also be presented to allow participants time for self-reflection and a deepened relationship with one’s own emotional wellness. Join us to explore practices and ideas for better connecting with ourselves to deepen our connections with others.

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, May 2nd. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on May 9th, 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.

March 2024 CPS & CPPS Community of Practice

“Navigating Best Practices and the Effects of Immigration in the Latine Community”
with Norma Gallegos Valles & Monica G. Caldwell

Thursday, March 21st, 2024 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm CT

Facilitator:
  • Norma Gallegos Valles
    Norma Gallegos Valles is a Workforce and Career Pathways manager and a certified Peer Specialist Trainer at Centro. Norma leads the growth and development of workforce trainings that are strength-based, holistic, and promote self-advocacy at work and in the community.
  • Monica Caldwell
    Monica G. Caldwell is currently serving as a Peer and Career Support Lead at Centro Hispano of Dane County. Monica’s work focuses on working closely with the Latinx community to help them enhance their employability skills through various workforce programs. Recently, Monica initiated a bilingual (Spanish/English) and culturally competent CPS training program at Centro. This program is specifically designed to explore paths to recovery and healing through their participants’ lived experiences. and help them to express their feelings while they integrate values and work ethic into their professional growth as Peer Specialists. Additionally, she is also working with Latinx individuals who are facing challenges with the court system in Dane County.
Description:

Join us in this gathering as we explore culturally relevant practices through the HEART (Healing Ethno and Racial Trauma) framework and enhance your awareness about the effects of immigration in the Latine community!

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 4th. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on April 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.

February 2024 CPS & CPPS Community of Practice

“Developing Connection and Community”
with Susie Austin

Thursday, February 15th, 2023 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm CT

Facilitator:
  • Susie Austin
    Susie Austin has been a CPS and a state of WI trainer for Certified Peer Specialist program for many years. Susie’s lived experience includes substance use disorder mental health, domestic violence, sexual assault. In addition, as a single parent, Susie navigated her four children into adulthood through their lived experiences which included mental health, addiction, sexual identity, suicidal ideologies. Susie is employed as the Peer Services Coordinator at Wisconsin Community Services. She oversees CPS staff and programs in multiple counties including Waukesha, Washington, Ozaukee, Manitowoc, and Walworth. Susie is passionate about Peer Support and for many years has been an advocate for growing Peer Services in Wisconsin. She is very involved with her community and serves on several committees including the Waukesha County Heroin Task Force, the Overdose Fatality Review Board, and WI Voices For Recovery. 
Description:

This workshop will help participants deepen their understanding of connection.

  • In working with peers
  • Coworkers
  • Developing communities

This is an interactive workshop where participants will learn how to create a safe space whether online or in person. This workshop will give participants tools and tips to help create community with connections. Prepare to be vulnerable while holding space for others!

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, February 29th. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on March 7th, 2024. No evaluation surveys will be accepted for CEH credit after the evaluation survey’s closing date/time. 

Please note: This Community of Practice recording will count for 1 CEH. 

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.

December 2023 CPS & CPPS Community of Practice

“Peer Support as a Catalyst for Harm Reduction”
with Dominique Christian

Thursday, December 14th, 2023 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm CT

Facilitator:
  • Dominique Christian
    As a Certified Peer Support Specialist, Dominique has experience supporting people with mental health concerns, psychological trauma and substance use. Dominique chose to enter this field because she believes that while there are many people passionate about this work, there aren’t enough people of color who share commonalities and similar experiences with the many of the clients being served. She believes her lived experience helps her be effective in supporting and advocating for others in their recovery process.
Description:

Join us for an enlightening training session with Dominique Christian, where we explore the empowering world of harm reduction and peer support. This training delves into the pivotal role of peer support in fostering healing and well-being for individuals grappling with self-harm and substance use.

Discover how non-judgmental, strengths-based approaches, combined with shared lived experiences, create a unique and empathetic support system. Learn how to challenge societal biases, build trust, and promote safety, all while respecting individual autonomy and self-determination.

Our interactive session will cover:

  • Ethical dilemmas in harm reduction and strategies to navigate them
  • Building empathetic connections while maintaining professional boundaries
  • Cultural sensitivity in support services
  • Empowering individuals through diverse treatment options

This training is a must-attend for anyone passionate about making a meaningful impact in harm reduction and peer support. Enhance your skills in creating compassionate, person-centered support environments that truly make a difference.

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, December 28th. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on January 4th, 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.

October 2023 CPS & CPPS Community of Practice

“Youth Peer Support: Shaping Tomorrow Together”
with Dominique Christian & Tara Wilhelmi

October 12th, 2023 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm CT

Facilitators:
  • Dominique Christian
    As a Certified Peer Support Specialist, Dominique has experience supporting people with mental health concerns, psychological trauma and substance use. Dominique chose to enter this field because she believes that while there are many people passionate about this work, there aren’t enough people of color who share commonalities and similar experiences with the many of the clients being served. She believes her lived experience helps her be effective in supporting and advocating for others in their recovery process.
  • Tara Wilhelmi
    Tara leads a grassroots community recovery and wellness organization, EOTO Culturally Rooted. She is a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS), Certified Parent Peer Specialist (CPPS) and state trainer of Certified Peer Specialists and trainers. She provides support to individuals navigating mental health, substance use and trauma recovery.

    Driven by her passion for positive social change and thriving, healthy communities of color she enjoys acting as a connector and seed planter working on several impactful collaborations throughout Wisconsin.

    As a Certified Peer Specialist and lived experience public speaker Tara subscribes to a “each one teach one” knowledge and skill sharing ideology that she believes is key to challenging systemic injustice. She has presented and trained on topics such as valuing & integrating the voice of lived experience, implicit bias and understanding culture/power/privilege to audiences on a national, state, and local level. Her unique approach and compassionate delivery make conquering these difficult conversations an act of bravery and not an exercise in guilt, shame, or fear.

    We all have work to do to create a safer, more just society – Tara believes that together we can!

Description:

Join us for an interactive discussion where experienced service providers can share their thoughts and expertise on what youth peer support should be in the state of Wisconsin. This engaging discussion will explore the key elements of effective youth peer support programs, including curriculum development, best practices, and the most efficient approaches. Participants will have the opportunity to hear firsthand from professionals who serve youth and learn about their vision for creating impactful peer support services. By delving into their collective wisdom, attendees will gain valuable insights that can shape the future of youth peer support initiatives, ensuring they are tailored to meet the unique needs of young individuals in Wisconsin. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a conversation that can make a difference in the lives of youth across the state.

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, October 26th. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on November 2nd, 2023. 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.