“Volunteer Orientation Guide” with Deborah Mejchar – August 2026 CPS/CPPS Community of Practice

“Volunteer Orientation Guide” with Deborah Mejchar

Thursday, August 20, 2026 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm CT

Facilitator:

• Deborah C. Mejchar is a Wisconsin-based chaplain, restorative-justice facilitator, and Certified Peer Specialist (CPS)and trainer recognized for integrating faith, lived experience, and evidence-based recovery practices within correctional and community settings.A former Wisconsin Department of Corrections chaplain and Department of Health Services staff member, she has developed and led dozens of reentry, mindfulness, and peer-support initiatives. Through her work, Deborah bridges trauma-informed care, moral repair, and restorative community healing, empowering justice-impacted individuals to pursue recovery, education, and purpose.

  Specializations:

  • Certified Peer Specialist & Trainer of Trainers (TOT)
  • Chaplaincy and spiritual care in correctional settings
  • Restorative justice and victim–offender dialogue
  • Trauma-informed care and CPT for PTSD
  • Program development and peer education within incarcerated populations
  • Mindfulness and compassion-based interventions

   

Description:

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 3rd, 2026. Certificates of Participation will be sent to those completing the evaluation form by 4:30pm on September 10th, 2026. 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.