“Certified Peer Specialist Recertification Overview”- July 2025 Supervisors Community of Practice
July 2025 CPS & CPPS Supervisor Community of Practice
“Certified Peer Specialist Recertification Overview”
with Acienda Yang & Kaeden Watford
Thursday, July 24th, 2025 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm CT
Facilitator:
- Kaeden Watford
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
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.
Description:
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.
