By Riley Hays, Case Manager and Certified Peer Specialist, Forward Solutions CSP

On February 24, Community Support Programs (CSPs) attended a two-hour training called “The Role of Certified Peer Specialists: A Training for Non-Peer Specialists,” designed to demystify peer support at Journey. 

Organized and led by peer professionals, Tara Wilhelmi of the Black-owned grassroots recovery and wellness organization EOTO Culturally Rooted, LLC. and Alysha Clark of Chrysalis, the training was offered to both clinicians and peer specialists that work collaboratively within Journey CSPs.

During the training, Wilhelmi and Clark introduced the values, ethics, and core skills of Wisconsin’s Certified Peer Specialist role. Wilhelmi and Clark also led a thought-provoking dialogue about mental health and substance use biases and explained the purpose of self-disclosure, a skill used by peer specialists to deepen connection and inspire hope. As the training ended, CSP staff were encouraged to brainstorm ways to increase advocacy for peer support, not only within Journey programs but also in our communities and to our legislators. 

Sharing knowledge and wisdom

Through Journey’s partnership with EOTO and Chrysalis, the creators of the Certified Peer Specialist Learning Community, the training was made possible. “I’m excited for the level of interest and commitment to understanding and integrating peer support,” Wilhelmi said.

Born from a vision of supporting and expanding the peer support movement in Dane County and across the state, the Certified Peer Specialist Learning Community created a cohort of peer service providers, like Safe Communities, Tellurian Behavioral Health, and––you guessed it––Journey. 

Last year, EOTO and Chrysalis met with the cohort for six months to provide technical assistance and train on peer support best practices. With a fast-growing peer workforce of nearly 2,000 Certified Peer Specialists and Certified Parent Peer Specialists in Wisconsin, guiding providers towards implementing true peer support was the goal. 

Now that the cohort is over, Wilhelmi is optimistic about the impact that the learning curriculum will have on peer support in Dane County. “I’m really hoping for their continued partnership because if they shift, it will really change the county’s culture around peer support. If we can adjust and really work in partnership to change the culture, it will be a big step forward for the practice of peer support within non-peer-led organizations in our county.” 

Supporting lived experience

Journey is committed to assuring fidelity to the Certified Peer Specialist profession. Throughout its programs, Journey has provided peer services for decades, but staff with lived experience have not always held the title. For example, our Outreach Workers in the Emergency Services Unit who have shown up for peers in times of crisis. 

Because of Journey’s participation in the cohort, Chief Clinical Officer Nichole Wright had a vision of her own. The monthly Peer Collaborative workgroup, led by Wright and made up of many voices, including peers, is part of Journey’s larger effort in the preservation and expansion of peer support. 

Throughout 2022, Wright endorses that the workgroup met to define the role and responsibilities of peer specialists and reflect on how to best support them. From creating connection spaces to envisioning career pathways, the future looks bright for Journey’s peer specialists. Currently, the workgroup’s goal is to hire a new Peer Supervisor. This role will support peer specialists through ethical and reflective supervision and help develop our peer services array. 

Journey will continue to support the delivery of peer support by advocating for equitable pay. With Governor Evers’ investment in mental health care and bipartisan support in the Wisconsin legislature, we are on the right track. 

As Journey’s peer support initiative strengthens and grows, stay tuned to Pathways for further updates. 

By Brent West and Mike Edwards

Mike Edwards is a supported employment IPS staff member here at Chrysalis.  Brent is a part of the Chrysalis Advisory Committee.

Many people in the Chrysalis community use the Madison Metro bus system. For lots of people, it is their only option apart from expensive cabs. We’d like to get a conversation going about the bus system and how, if we plan for the long term, a really good transit system could benefit our community.

What we like about the bus system:

1. The best we can say about the current Metro bus system is that it is fairly functional for our needs. Brent lives downtown and can get to most places in the City fairly easily. 
2. Google maps is quite a good way of planning your journey. The Madison Metro ‘Plan your Trip’ section of their website uses google maps so you might as well just go straight to Google maps. Brent also uses the mobile app ‘Bus Radar’, which shows you where your bus is and what other routes are available at your location.
3. If you are not a person who uses their phone or a computer for this sort of thing, the easiest way to plan your journey is to call Metro Customer Service, (608) 266-4466. You can actually get a friendly person to tell you the best route to get where you want. Monday – Friday: 6:15 am – 6:00 pm; Weekend & Holiday: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. 

What we don’t like about the current Metro bus system:

1. Buses are often only once an hour. If you miss a bus, that means a long wait! We’d like to see much more frequent buses.
2. Sometimes the buses are early. We’ve both got to the stop on time and it’s already gone by! The ‘Bus Radar’ app doesn’t always work!
3. There is no service to some nearby areas outside the City that are in different jurisdictions. This is ridiculous, because places like Monona, Sun Prairie and Deforest are where lots of jobs are and people in the city who don’t have cars can’t get to these job opportunities.

Why we’re worried about the change to a system based on the Bus Rapid Transit route:

1. There will be reduced routes and fewer buses for some areas and people will often have to walk further to get to the stop. 
2. Low and mid income people, a population that heavily relies on public transportation, will be affected by the reduced services if they live in some areas. This does not seem like the way to go. 

What we would like to see for the bus system in the near future:

1. Increased service to suburbs and areas not currently being served, like Monona and DeForest.
2. Services running earlier and later in the day. 

Why don’t we have a really good public transportation system?

1. The main problem is that municipalities like Madison, Sun Prairie and Verona have little control over most federal funds for transportation. Congress decides whether the funds are used for roads or public transportation. Then federal and state governments decide on specific projects. The great majority of funds go for building new roads instead of public transportation like buses and light rail. For example, the recent highway upgrade from the South Beltline to Verona, cost $265 million, nearly all in federal dollars. As you may have noticed, such highway construction is constant in Dane County. The only new Madison public transportation investment is the Bus Rapid Transit system. Construction will cost $160 million, only $105 million of which is federal. Madison Metro’s total budget for this year is $68 million. In 2019, prior to Covid, Madison Metro provided 12.9 million rides. However, the system only received $6.2 million in federal assistance.
2. Highway expansion projects are often justified based on the assumption that they will reduce traffic congestion and increase traffic speeds, but they do the opposite. A couple of years after a highway expansion, the traffic has increased so that the speeds return to their prior level. In addition, over the long run, highway expansions increase the total amount of time that residents spend traveling because they create more dispersed development patterns where travel distances are longer and there are fewer non-auto travel options. (https://archive.curbed.com/2020/3/6/21166655/highway-traffic-congestion-induced-demand; Transportation Cost and Benefit Analysis II – Travel Time Costs Victoria Transport Policy Institute (www.vtpi.org)).
3. Despite this evidence, Congress authorizes funding for highways. This is because of lobbying by the road construction industry and the automakers. We need to fund instead the public transit infrastructure that will make our cities and towns more livable and sustainable now and in the future.
4. How about investing in a system like the one shown in the map below? We could afford it just by giving up a few highway ‘improvements’ in Dane County. Imagine then those bus, underground or light rail lines extending and going out to Waunakee, Deforest, Windsor, Sun Prairie, McFarland, Verona and Cross Plains. Accessible jobs, fewer cars, faster travel, less sprawl, less pollution, accessible to everyone, better for our mental health. We can do this! 

Let us know what YOU think.

By Andrew Lopez

Seasonal affective disorder is a condition that affects many people. What it means is that an affected individual will feel increased mental health symptoms including things like anxiety and depression during a particular season. While this is most commonly associated with winter it can be other seasons as well. In my case (and in many others) Winter is especially hard because of the shorter amount of daylight hours and the increased amount of cloud cover which blocks sunlight. For other individuals changes in the temperature can also trigger SAD.

I experience abnormally high amounts of my depression symptoms including loss of hope, loss of motivation, feeling numb, and having a significant loss of energy. I also get interruptions to my sleep schedule and overall less sleep. Self-care for seasonal affective disorder can vary greatly and I encourage people to talk with both their doctors and their mental health professionals about different treatments. I use a SAD light (otherwise known as a full-spectrum light).  This is light that imitates the light we experience from the sun. I use mine for anywhere from 30 minutes to 60 minutes a day and do notice a small but significant decrease in my symptoms. To counter some of the sleep-related issues I take a melatonin tablet an hour before bedtime and this helps me get restful sleep. Getting regular exercise also helps.

I hope those reading this understand that this is a very common condition and that if you’re experiencing the symptoms you’re not alone. As with any mental health condition I hope you’re all able to walk your own paths to recovery and consider the different options for treatment.

By Amy and Erik

November 8th, 2022 is ELECTION DAY! Voting can be a confusing and sometimes intimidating experience. Clubhouse Member Erik and Chrysalis Staff Person Amy Y teamed up to answer some common voting questions! Both Amy and Erik have worked the polls on Election Days and hope to provide some guidance and support to the process! It’s most important that those who want to vote know how, have access to voting, and feel empowered to cast that ballot!

Q: Where do I register and how?  

A: You can register to vote at any library or at the City Clerk’s Office at 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard or online at: myvote.wi.gov. You can also register to vote at your polling location on the day of the election. Use the link to make sure you bring any required documents! Polling place workers are super friendly and really want to help you! Head into your polling location and they will walk through each step with you.

Q: Where do I vote?    

A: You can find your polling place by visiting myvote.wi.gov. Polling locations are often in community centers, local organizations like churches, and schools. Sometimes polling locations change so it’s always good to look up your location before you leave!

Q: Can someone help me vote?  

A: Yes! All polling locations are ADA accessible and have various forms of accessible voting technology. You may bring someone with you to assist you with voting, they just need to sign in that they are helping you. All polling locations must comply with your request to vote curbside as well if you’re not able to leave your vehicle. The Chief Inspector at each polling location is there to make sure you have full access to voting and that all poll workers understand your rights. If you feel there is an error, make sure to speak to the Chief Inspector!

Q: What if I forget my ID?  

A: If you’re registering to vote for the first time, you will need a photo ID and proof of residence (i.e. a utility bill, a bank statement, a government document, etc.). You will not be able to register without this document. If you are registered and forget your ID, you can still cast your ballot but it won’t be counted until you return with your ID. Poll workers will share all of your options to show your ID for this Provisional Ballot option. 

Q: What time do polls open?  

A: Polls open at 7:00 am and stay open until 8:00 pm. If you are in line to vote at 8pm, you are eligible to vote!

Q: Where do I vote if I’ve recently moved?

A: If you have moved in the last 28 days before election day, you will need to register and vote at your previous address. If you have lived in your dwelling for more than 28 days before election day, you will vote at your new location.

Q: How can I support the election?  

A: There are many ways to support local elections. You could be a poll watcher to make sure the process is smooth and fluid. Find opportunities for future elections here: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Become-PollWorker.

Q: Are there resources to get to the polls?  

A: Yes, Union Cab and many others will provide free cab rides to the polls for those who need them. Find a complete list of transportation assistance here: https://disabilityvote.org/rides-to-polls/

Q:  Any tips if I’m anxious to vote?  

A: Just take a deep breath and realize that voting isn’t really that hard but new things can be scary and intimidating. If you have any questions about voting, the Chief Inspector at the polls is the best resource to get information and feedback about voting. Both Amy and Erik have seen how friendly and supporting the volunteer workers are! They are there to make sure that you have full access to voting. You can also talk to people that support you in your life. Like we said above, you can have someone help you vote and support you to get to and from the polls!

Q: Any other voting tips?  

A: People who make a plan to vote, vote more solidly because they remember how they decided to cast their ballot and when they plan on voting. It’s too easy for the day to get busy and all of sudden you’ve forgotten to vote! Making a plan on when you’re going to vote will help reduce the chances that you forget!