January 2026 CPS/CPPS Community of Practice
Pete Bullimore, chair of the National Paranoia Network, is testament to how powerful acceptance of and learning to work with voices and paranoia can be. Pete heard his first voice aged seven, “I heard a child’s voice telling me to keep going, that everything would be OK. It was reassuring, a bit like an imaginary friend,” he says. But as bad things happened in my life the voices increased in number, eventually turning sinister and aggressive. “They told me to set myself on fire, to slash myself and destroy myself, often 20 or 30 voices all shouting at me at once,” he says.
By his mid-twenties Pete had lost his business, his family, his home, everything. “The voices just encompassed my life; I curled up in a chair and didn’t wash or eat. “I was locked in a world of voices, paranoia and depression, and it was probably the most frightening time of my life,” he says.
Pete spent more than a decade after that on heavy medication, the voices never went away. He had to get out of the psychiatric system to recover. Once he was off the medication and he met people who shared his experiences at the Hearing Voices Network, he was able to stop being so afraid of the voices and he started to listen to them. His relationship with the voices changed and he learned the meaning of his voices and paranoia.
He now runs his own training and consultancies agencies the National Paranoia Network, Asylum Associates & the Sheffield Hearing Voices Network delivering training on hearing voices, childhood trauma, paranoia and how to use the Maastricht interview for hearing voices & problematic thoughts, beliefs and paranoia internationally. He is a guest lecturer at 21 Universities in the UK and Ireland. He has set up Maastricht Centre’s at the Radbone unit in Derby and the Hartington unit in Chesterfield in collaboration with Derby NHS trust; he has now launched a Maastricht Approach center in Bradford and a National Maastricht Center in Telford
“I wouldn’t want to get rid of my voices now, they’re part of me,” he says.
Join international speaker and trainer Peter Bullimore as he shares unique insights from lived experience into understanding and supporting individuals experiencing paranoia and unusual beliefs.
This presentation will explore:
With compassion and clarity, Peter will challenge common misconceptions and offer practical strategies to foster understanding, reduce fear, and build meaningful connections with those navigating paranoia and unusual beliefs.
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, January 29th. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on February 5th, 2026. 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.
September 2025 CPS & CPPS Supervisor Community of Practice
Recovery is not just a profession for me—it’s a guiding principle that shapes every aspect of my work. I am an accomplished peer specialist and training facilitator with more than 15 years of experience driving initiatives in advocacy, program development, and social services. Throughout my career, I have partnered with individuals navigating complex challenges, including substance use, mental health concerns, housing instability, and major life transitions, supporting them while they build stability, resilience, and renewed purpose.
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.
Power is everywhere — shaping relationships, organizations, and systems. But often it operates through unspoken or shadow rules that can be hard to see, name, or navigate. This 90-minute interactive presentation for peer specialists will motivate participants to think more about power and how it shows up in our work.
Participants will:
• Examine different types of power — personal, positional, relational, resource, and systemic.
• Reflect on the unspoken and shadow rules of power.
• Explore real-world scenarios and practice identifying ethical uses of power.
• Leave with strategies to notice, name, and shift power dynamics in ways that support both staff and those we serve.
This session blends reflection, discussion, and applied practice, giving peer specialist supervisors tools to better navigate the complex realities of power in their role.
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 9th. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on October 16th, 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.
September 2025 CPS/CPPS Community of Practice
Clem L Richardson is a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Therapist. He earned his undergraduate degree in Human Services from Upper Iowa University in 2004 in 2006 he earned an Associate Degree in Theology from Grace Theological Seminary and he has a Graduate degree from Concordia University (Mequon Campus) as a Professional Counselor in 2008. He was recently awarded his National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCCAP) as a Master Addiction Counselor (MAC), He is a Clinical Substance Counselor (CSAC). He is a doctoral student pursing a PhD in Theology 2027. He has been counseling people with addictions for more than 20 years and he is trained in many different cultural therapy styles and uses various counseling techniques that meet the needs of the individual.
Clem is the CEO and Founder of “Manna Behavioral Services.” He provides workshops, group facilitation, prevention education for MPS students, Alternative Schools, Church groups. Gang Prevention for youth and manhood training for both adults and youth. He provides workshops and keynote speaker at conferences, transformational speaker.
He is a recipient of many prestigious awards including the Outstanding Leadership,2001 Certificate of Appreciation Prison –Reentry Department of Corrections (DOC), 2009 Community Impact Award Rising Star 2009, and the Parent with the most Commitment award in 2006 and in 2018 he received the “Black Excellence Award “from the Milwaukee Times a Life Time Achievement award in 2022 and a Community Leadership award in 2024 just to name a few.
Clem is an active member and founder of “Kingdom Empowered Ministries” where he serves in various capacities of ministries.
Clem is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and he is married to Mrs. Barbara Richardson. He has five adult children and seven grandchildren. His hobbies include reading, weight training, and traveling.
MS, CSAC, MAC Therapist
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
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 2nd. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on October 9th, 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.
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.
June 2025 CPS & CPPS Supervisor Community of Practice
Kaeden Watford (He/Him) is a black trans man, son, dad, partner, and friend. Due to the harm that has been caused to him throughout his life by various systems he has developed a passion for harm reduction, community, and healing. It is important to him to use his seat at the table to advocate for equity and inclusive spaces for marginalized and historically oppressed communities. His journey began while still being a resident in the Wisconsin prison system and he has been determined to create safe spaces for collective healing in the communities that he belongs to ever since.
Join us for an insightful and interactive presentation focused on hiring Certified Peer Specialists and Certified Parent Peer Specialists who have been justice-impacted. These invaluable team members offer unparalleled lived experience in supporting adults navigating mental health and substance use challenges. This webinar is designed specifically for employers and supervisors of Certified Peer Specialists and Certified Parent Peer Specialists. We will provide a comprehensive overview of:
Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to confidently build a diverse, skilled, and resilient workforce that truly reflects the communities you serve. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to enhance your team’s capacity and foster a supportive environment for all.
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, July 10th. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on July 17th, 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.
