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.

September 2023 CPS & CPPS Community of Practice

“Find Healing Within Peer Support”
with Shawn Adrian

September 21st, 2023 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm CT

Facilitators:
  • Shawn AdrianIn 1999, I lost my vision due to a traumatic head injury caused by a car accident. The trauma caused by this life-changing event has had a long-reaching influence on who I am today. Prior to the traumatic accident, I battled with mental illness, and narcissistic abuse that led to incarceration as a child and an adult. After the horrific accident, I battled with substance use due to physical pain. Not having any support to help me through these trying times provides me first-hand knowledge of the important role that an empathetic peer-support specialist provides in recovery.

    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.

Description:

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.

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 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

“Certified Peer Specialist Program in the Wisconsin Department of Corrections”
with Tracy Johnson & Allyson Eparvier

August 17th, 2023 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm CT

Facilitators:
  • Dr. Tracy JohnsonDr. Tracy Johnson is a Certified Peer Specialist and a Licensed Psychologist who has 26 years of experience working for the Wisconsin DOC. She has held positions as Psychologist, Psychology Supervisor, and she is currently the Psychology Manager for the Division of Juvenile Corrections. She assisted in implementing the first pilot peer mentoring program in the Wisconsin DOC in 2016 and she became a Certified Peer Specialist State Trainer in 2017. Dr. Johnson has co-facilitated all of the Certified Peer Specialist trainings in the DOC, since the program began in 2017. She is currently a Co-Director for the Certified Peer Specialist Program in the Wisconsin DOC. Dr. Johnson is inspired by the commitment and dedication of the Certified Peer Specialists in the DOC, and she is grateful and honored to be a part of the CPS Program. 
  • Dr. Allyson Eparvier
    Dr. Allyson Eparvier has worked in the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) for the past 11 years. Prior to that, she worked in corrections in both Colorado and California. She is currently a Psychological Associate at Dodge Correctional Institution (DCI) where she is the Psychological Services Liaison for the Restrictive Housing Unit. In addition, she is the Co-Chair of the Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) Program at DCI and also a Co-Director for the CPS Program for all adult institutions within the DOC. Dr. Eparvier has a wealth of knowledge about the utility of the CPS Program within a correctional setting and is passionate about supporting individuals through their rehabilitative journey.
Description:

Receive an overview of the CPS program in the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.

This will include:

  • Information regarding the history of CPS in the Wisconsin DOC, dating back to the first CPS training in 2017
  • Program implementation and expansion across the prisons and custody levels
  • An overview of partnerships with Access to Independence and DHS
  • Barriers, challenges, and strengths of the program
  • Positive contributions and impact on peers, the CPSs, the prison environment and culture
  • Future direction of CPS in the DOC

Learning Objectives:

  • General understanding of how CPS in the Wisconsin DOC began and has evolved
  • Challenges, strengths and benefits of CPS in the Wisconsin DOC
  • Future direction of CPS in the Wisconsin DOC

 

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 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.