“A Fresh Start to a new Beginning” – July 2024 Community of Practice
July 2024 CPS & CPPS Community of Practice
“A Fresh Start to a new Beginning”
with Ana Veloz & Jose Cruz
Thursday, July 18th, 2024 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm CT
Facilitator:
- Ana VelozI was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. Currently I am a licensed Psychotherapist and hold credentials as a CSAC (clinical substance abuse counselor). I have certifications in Trauma Informed care, Emotional Intelligence and Care Coordination.I have always worked in the community, and I love being in the helping field. Some of my best work was working with women. I created programs for women who suffered domestic abuse and sexual assault and taught education to them as well.
You might be wondering why and where re-entry fits in my life. I am a mother of 5 children, 2 girls and 3 boys. Of my 5 children I have had 2 older boys in and out of the State of Wisconsin DOC system. I also worked for the DOC for a very short time and found that working in a prison was just like being in prison with them. I have struggled helping my 2 boys stay out of prison from the day they went in. I wanted to find ways to help them, so I began my long road to finding answers. I started by researching ways to help my loved one, and I found I thought I knew how to help but it was wrong.
Between research, working in the prison system and asking questions to in house prisoners I found that each person is an individual and each person’s needs are different even though they might be the same.
The topic will be re-entry from prison to home viewing this from both sides. During this conversation I will explain both sides, how can they connect and have better communication. We will explore areas of need for both sides of re-entry. Reminding the new releasee and the family by working together we can reduce recidivism. - Jose CruzJose Cruz is a Certified Peer and has a passion to provide peer support in the re-entry field. Jose identifies as a person in long term recovery from substance use and mental health. Also, as a returning citizen from incarceration. Jose’s pronouns are he/him. Jose’s interests include anything outdoors, sports and spending time with his family.
Description:
The process of starting over. There will be a discussion pertaining to both sides of re-entry with expectations of the new releasees and the expectations of the family members. Ana will bring up the topic of conditioned individuals and how to communicate these feelings, a discussion of the word S.O.U.P. and what it means. Available resources will also be shared and depending on the size of the session, Ana will do a mini-introduction of each of us.
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 1st. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on August 8th, 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.
