September 2023 CPS & CPPS Community of Practice
September 21st, 2023 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm CT
My life experiences have led me to see the need for outside support to help when one is enduring hard times. This is why I decided to use the strength I found in myself to help others going through similar situations. I completed necessary training and testing to become the first blind Certified Peer Support Specialist in the state of Wisconsin.
Shawn will be exploring how he got to where he is today. You will learn why peer support is so beneficial to Shawn and to others who are disabled – from having peer support to having hope after the trauma. We will also create a non-judgmental, safe environment in which we can discuss challenges you are facing and how to build coping techniques to lead to a successful recovery. Although you may feel that no-one can understand what you are facing, you do not have to face it alone as we are ALL in this together. We will work together to find a positive path to overcome your challenges to help you achieve your desired goal.
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 5th. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on October 12th, 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.
August 2023 CPS & CPPS Community of Practice
August 17th, 2023 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm CT
Receive an overview of the CPS program in the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.
This will include:
Learning Objectives:
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 31st. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on September 7th, 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.
July 2023 CPS & CPPS Community of Practice
July 20th, 2023 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm CT
Marcia Galvan is the Special Projects Supervisor with the Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board. She currently oversees the Support to Communities (STC) grant in SWWDB’s service area, serving those impacted by the substance use crisis and Wisconsin Pathway Home 2 (WPH2), serving justice involved individuals throughout the state of Wisconsin. WPH2 and STC provide financial assistance for employment and training, including support services such as uniforms, books, tuition, childcare, housing, transportation, etc., for eligible participants.
Marcia graduated from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater in 2014 with a BS in Political Science. She has more than 10 years working with those impacted by the substance use crisis and those involved in the justice system. Marcia is a certified Peer Support Specialist and Peer Support Specialist Trainer for the State of Wisconsin. Marcia is an advocate of systems change and considers herself a system disrupter.
Marcia has been married to her husband, Joel, for 15 years. Together they have two children, Toretto (6) and Gabi (18). She enjoys spending time with her family and rescue animals (7 cats, 2 dogs, 6 ducks, and 12 chickens) on their small farm-ette, travel-hacking around the world, trying new foods, and writing about their experiences.
This Community of Practice gathering will take a look at providing trauma informed peer support as it relates to building stronger and more impactful relationships.
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 3rd. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on August 10th, 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.
May 2023 CPS & CPPS Community of Practice
May 18th, 2023 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm CT
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: Emotional Health & Wellness curriculum. 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 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 is an entrepreneur, author, peer, trainer, and consultant. Her life experience, education, and training in emotional wellness, trauma, and peer support make her an exceptional leader, consultant and trainer. Lynn has a vibrant passion for life and deep empathy for the stories of others, which shows up in all facets of her work. She is a trainer of Emotional CPR and Emotions Education 101 and co-creator of The Missing Piece: Emotional Health & Wellness curriculum. 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, she launched the Real Vibes Only podcast which talks about real life and emotions. Lynn 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.
There is so much talk around self-care and taking responsibility for our well-being. This becomes detrimental when the burden of well-being is put on the individual exclusively. Learn about the revolution of meCPR, the importance of self-care and community care, and healing through connection.
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 1st. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on June 8th, 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.
April 2023 CPS & CPPS Community of Practice
April 20th, 2023 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm CT
David Carlson is the founder and co-owner of C.C. We Adapt, co-founder/co-owner of Next Generation Properties, LLC, and co-founder/co-owner of Next Generation Mentors. David is going into his third year at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where his focus areas are Healthcare Law and Healthcare Compliance. David has a background of diverse experiences. He is an early childhood trauma survivor. He has significant lived experience with youth and adult incarceration, as well as youth and adult homelessness. He is an Army National Guard combat veteran. David’s life now revolves around his family, wife Alicia Carlson, two sons, Knox and Lenox Carlson, and a new baby on the way. David has dedicated his life to expanding resources for more people from backgrounds like his to have the opportunity to enjoy the promises of life, liberty, and happiness–realities that have for too long only been enjoyed by a privileged class.
Brianna Traut is a Certified Peer Specialist with C.C. We Adapt as well as the General Manager Next Generation Properties.
Brianna is a single mom and has a 3-year-old son named Rowan! Rowan is the reason she pushes herself every day to be better. She is recovering from addiction to opiates and has been in recovery for 5 years. Throughout her addiction, she had periods of incarceration and rehab stays and she never had someone who truly understood her or what she was going through. Eventually, she was able to get into treatment court through Eau Claire County and successfully complete the program.
Brianna came to a point in her life where she felt things were changing around her, however, she felt she was still in the same place. She wanted to grow and begin helping others who have experiences similar to her; and, this is where she found peer support. Peer support completely changed her life. She felt her purpose was to help others, especially because she could connect with the individuals and feel like she has been there. By being in these similar situations and places before, Brianna now gives people hope in any situation that they may be in.
Tenant Support Mentorship is a concept that was created by C.C. We Adapt and that has become its own form of peer services under Next Generation Mentors. This presentation will illuminate how peer service providers are uniquely positioned to take on the housing epidemic that is facing every community, and that is negatively impacting marginalized community members at a disproportionate rate.
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 4th. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on May 11th, 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.