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.
August 2025 CPS & CPPS Supervisor Community of Practice
Abigail Spanjers (she/her) is the Executive Director at The La Crosse Lighthouse Inc, a small (501c3) non-profit organization in La Crosse, WI that operates The La Crosse Lighthouse Peer Run Respite and Warmline. The La Crosse Lighthouse offers phone support and respite stays for individuals who are experiencing mental health, substance use and other life interrupting challenges. Being a strong advocate for equity and social change, Abigail took the opportunity as Executive Director to reorganize the structure of The La Crosse Lighthouse to reflect grassroots peer-centered approaches, greater pay equity and shared responsibility. Abigail received her Wisconsin Peer Specialist Certification in 2021 and Intentional Peer Support Certificate in 2023. She was named the 2024 Shining Star recipient from the Mental Health Coalition of the Greater La Crosse Area and facilitated workshops at the 2024 Wisconsin Peer Recovery Conference and 2024 National Association of Peer Supporters Annual Conference. Her experiences include: navigating long term substance use and mental health challenges, incarceration and surviving domestic violence. She holds a strong knowing that personal experiences offer value that formal education cannot duplicate. Abigail believes in offering alternatives to clinical and medical model interventions to allow space for autonomy and exploring new ways to break cycles. Peer work gives us a voice and proves there are many pathways to wellness. In her personal time, Abigail gardens, plays video games and most importantly, loves her animal cohabitants.
This presentation will challenge what we have come to accept as normal organizational structure and explore using contracts and skillsets that already exist within our teams to trim the budget, provide opportunities for growth and lessen the wage gap between administrative and direct staff. Seeing all members as skilled contributors cultivates innovation and community. We will learn how respecting all positions as essential will create a strong organization, impacting staff turnover, job satisfaction and program security. Peers are a wealth of knowledge and recognizing those skills while providing an opportunity to use them builds the peer, builds the organization and builds confidence in peer work. Together we can find a better way.
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 11th. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on September 18th, 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 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.
Acienda Yang is a proud Hmong woman who carries her culture, heritage, and community roots with her in all that she does. She believes her Hmong identity grounds her in resilience, compassion, and a strong sense of belonging and values she brings to her work and everyday life. With deep lived experience navigating mental health, Acienda is passionate about centering peer voices in systems change and supporting peers to step fully into their strengths. Born in San Diego, California, and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, she now calls Wisconsin home.
Outside of work, Acienda loves traveling, exploring new places and foods, and she also have a pet turtle named Autumn. She finds joy in quiet moments of reflection, connecting with loved ones, and finding self-care.
Are you due for recertification or curious about what’s required to maintain your Certified Peer Specialist certification? Join us for an engaging overview that will break down the recertification process step by step. We’ll cover continuing education requirements, timelines, and common pitfalls to avoid! Whether it’s your first renewal or not, this session will provide clarity, resources, and a space to get your questions answered.
Stay informed. Stay certified. Continue making an impact!
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, August 7th. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on August 14th, 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.
May 2025 CPS & CPPS Supervisor Community of Practice
Shae (he/him) is a Two-Spirit person who is a devoted parent, husband, and community advocate. Shae’s resilience in overcoming systemic barriers and trauma has become a source of strength and inspiration to the people he serves. Shae works in the nonprofit sector serving veterans, Muslim LGBTQ2+ individuals, and many others that deal with multiple diagnosis. An artist, musician, reiki practitioner, personal trainer – Shae wears so many hats! He channels his creativity into self-expression and community building. His life has been shaped by both struggle and service, and he believes in using his experiences to uplift and support others.
This presentation explores the often-overlooked experiences of everyday grief — the emotional responses to loss that doesn’t always receive public acknowledgment that has deep personal impacts. From breakups and job loss to political disillusionment and changing life roles, grief is not limited to death. This session will unpack how grief manifests in common life transitions, how it affects our mental and physical well-being, and why it deserves space in our conversations and healing practices. Through relatable examples, psychological insights, and practical strategies, attendees will learn how to identify grief in their own lives, validate their emotional experiences, and adopt healthy coping tools. Whether you’re personally navigating change or supporting others, this presentation offers compassionate guidance for honoring loss and finding resilience in everyday life.
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, June 5th. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on June 12th, 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.
