April 2025 CPS & CPPS Supervisor Community of Practice
Dominique Q. Christian is a passionate wellness advocate, peer support professional, and educator dedicated to empowering historically marginalized communities. With over a decade of experience in mental health, substance use recovery, and peer support, Dominique has cultivated a career centered on uplifting others through culturally responsive care and a deep understanding of systemic challenges.
As the founder of Sondercove Wellness, Dominique blends lived experience with professional expertise to create transformative training programs, guide providers in their practice, and offer strength-based support to individuals and families navigating complex systems. A proud member of the National Association of Black Social Workers and an advocate for intersectional equity, Dominique brings a unique perspective to every initiative, weaving together historical context, personal growth, and community resilience.
Through their work, Dominique honors the legacy of care exemplified by Black leaders and communities throughout history, particularly the principles of othermothering and collective care. Their training sessions emphasize cultural humility, empowerment, and the critical role of peer support in fostering healing and autonomy.
Whether speaking at professional development workshops or facilitating conversations around racial equity and wellness, Dominique’s goal is clear: to inspire and equip others to build a more compassionate, inclusive, and just world.
In honor of Black History Month and the enduring legacy of resilience and collective care, let us carry forward the lessons of history into our work today. Peer support has been an essential practice within Black communities for over 400 years, rooted in collective care, resilience, and mutual empowerment. This transformative training explores the deep historical connections between Black history and peer support work, highlighting the practice of “othermothering” during the Civil Rights Movement and its lasting impact on community care. Participants will uncover the ways peer support has helped individuals navigate crises, dismantle systemic barriers, and build intergenerational resilience.
Through engaging discussions and real-world examples, this training honors the legacy of peer support as a tool for resistance and healing, empowering attendees to integrate these principles into their professional practice. Join us to deepen your understanding of culturally responsive care and celebrate the enduring power of collective support in Black communities.
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 8th. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on May 15th, 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.
April 2025 CPS & CPPS Community of Practice
I am an enrolled tribal member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Anishinaabe and a proud boarding school survivor. My journey has been shaped by personal encounters with the deep-seated effects of historical and intergenerational trauma, as well as the powerful process of recovery and healing. These lived experiences have fueled my passion for reclaiming our community’s strength, culture, and connection to the land. Driven by a commitment to holistic wellness and community revitalization, I am dedicated to restoring our traditional roles in the production and processing of resources within tribal nations. My work focuses on integrating regenerative agriculture practices, eco/agro therapies, and eco-friendly recreation into our community’s fabric. I believe that by weaving these elements with our cultural values and practices, we can foster sustainable development, support mental and emotional healing, and reconnect with the wisdom of our ancestors. My aspiration is to go beyond personal recovery, to inspire collective healing and empowerment within our community. I envision a future where our people are thriving, our land is restored, and our traditional practices are honored and upheld. Through this presentation, I hope to shed light on our past, ignite discussions about our present challenges, and inspire action towards a more resilient and self-determined future for the Lac Courte Oreilles community.
**This presentation is part two**
“Trespassing at Home” delves deep into the layered history of odaawaa-zaaga’iganiing aka Lac Courte Oreilles examining the profound effects of historical traumas and how they reverberate in the present. This journey begins with the arrival of French fur traders and settlers, marking the beginning of sustained foreign contact, and traces a timeline of significant events that have shaped the socio-cultural and economic landscape of Sawyer County. Through this comprehensive historical timeline, we will explore key moments such as forced relocations, the introduction of boarding schools, the loss of traditional lands and practices, and the erosion of community sovereignty. This legacy of displacement and cultural suppression has set the stage for the current crises facing the community, including the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic. The presentation will provide an in-depth analysis of how these historical traumas have interwoven with contemporary challenges, creating complex layers of trauma that persist within the community today. By understanding this timeline and the cumulative effect of these events, participants will gain a clearer perspective on the ongoing resilience of the LCO community and the path toward healing and revitalization.
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 24th. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on May 1st, 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.
February 2025 CPS & CPPS Supervisor Community of Practice
Shirley Drake is Director of Peer Specialists Limited (PSL).
PSL provides Family Engagement and Advocacy services, long-term Parent Peer Support services for families enrolled in Children’s Mental Health Services and Wraparound systems of care. In addition, PSL offers a Teen Outreach Program to middle school and those that are juvenile justice system involved.
As a Certified Peer Specialist and State Trainer, she is Secretary of the Milwaukee County Mental Health Board representing the peer voice on County mental health budget and policy decisions.
Diverse perspectives exist on leadership among generations. This Community of Practice will present information on each generational cohort and discuss the differences. We will learn skills and strategies that can enable more effective communication and practical strategies to utilize the differences and strengths to build your team.
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, March 13th. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on March 20th, 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.
February 2025 CPS & CPPS Community of Practice
Dominique Q. Christian is a passionate wellness advocate, peer support professional, and educator dedicated to empowering historically marginalized communities. With over a decade of experience in mental health, substance use recovery, and peer support, Dominique has cultivated a career centered on uplifting others through culturally responsive care and a deep understanding of systemic challenges.
As the founder of Sondercove Wellness, Dominique blends lived experience with professional expertise to create transformative training programs, guide providers in their practice, and offer strength-based support to individuals and families navigating complex systems. A proud member of the National Association of Black Social Workers and an advocate for intersectional equity, Dominique brings a unique perspective to every initiative, weaving together historical context, personal growth, and community resilience.
Through their work, Dominique honors the legacy of care exemplified by Black leaders and communities throughout history, particularly the principles of othermothering and collective care. Their training sessions emphasize cultural humility, empowerment, and the critical role of peer support in fostering healing and autonomy.
Whether speaking at professional development workshops or facilitating conversations around racial equity and wellness, Dominique’s goal is clear: to inspire and equip others to build a more compassionate, inclusive, and just world.
In honor of Black History Month and the enduring legacy of resilience and collective care, let us carry forward the lessons of history into our work today. Peer support has been an essential practice within Black communities for over 400 years, rooted in collective care, resilience, and mutual empowerment. This transformative training explores the deep historical connections between Black history and peer support work, highlighting the practice of “othermothering” during the Civil Rights Movement and its lasting impact on community care. Participants will uncover the ways peer support has helped individuals navigate crises, dismantle systemic barriers, and build intergenerational resilience.
Through engaging discussions and real-world examples, this training honors the legacy of peer support as a tool for resistance and healing, empowering attendees to integrate these principles into their professional practice. Join us to deepen your understanding of culturally responsive care and celebrate the enduring power of collective support in Black communities.
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, March 6th. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on March 13th, 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.
