Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training
With over 30 years experience in community as a Peer Support provider and Peer Education Trainer, Community Action Marin is excited to offer California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA)-approved and endorsed, Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training. The Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training program provides peer-to-peer education and support to individuals who self-identify as having experience with the process of recovery from a mental illness or substance use disorder, either as a consumer of these services or as the parent, caregiver, or family member of a consumer with a mental health condition. The program serves as a pathway to certification and employment/volunteer positions within the public mental health system once participants finish the class and take and pass the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification exam.
During the class, participants will learn 17 core behavioral health skills covering Peer Specialist core competencies as identified by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). Topics covered include the recovery model, communication skills, trauma-informed care, cultural competency, Medi-Cal code of ethics, and more.
The class is a combination of online and in person cohort style classes with the class meeting one evening a week for three hours. The program spans 12 weeks for a total of 80 hours and will provide 20+ individuals with the training they need to take the California state certification exam and become a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist and pursue a career in mental health. The training and certification process professionalizes peer work, provides valuable workforce development opportunities, and increases the ability of peers to be effective members of multi-disciplinary care teams.
Program Dates
Our next Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification training program launches in April, 2025. Complete the inquiry form below to confirm your eligibility and learn more.
Program Participants Will:
- Obtain skills needed for certification for a position in the Mental Health profession
- Get recognition as a valued Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
- Gain experience in the delivery of mental health and substance use disorder treatment
- Receive Financial, Credit, or Career Coaching
Enrollment Criteria
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Possess a highschool diploma or equivalent degree
- Self-identify as having experience with the process of recovery from mental illness or substance use disorder, either as consumer of these services or as the parent, caregiver, or family member
- Have a strong dedication to recovery
- Agree in writing to adhere to a code of ethics
- Pay the pre-person price of $1600 before the start of class
Interested in the Program?
Scholarships for the program are available and the deadline to apply is March 31, 2025. You may use this form to apply.
Once your inquiry form is submitted, a member of our team will reach out with several additional questions and share information on the course structure and any technological needs, as well as scholarship and payment options. If you qualify, we’ll then:
- Provide you with a link to formally enroll you in the program
- Refer you once again to the scholarship application and/or make tuition payment arrangements with you, and
- Send out a baseline assessment form
After the baseline assessment and receipt of tuition, students will be provided with an orientation packet and any further course information they will need to get started, including a link to the Moodle Learning Platform that will be used throughout the course.
Over the past 50 years, the mental health treatment field has been slowly shifting to a more human-centered and recovery-focused model of care. Peers play a vital role in this work by offering a unique, person-centered approach that complements traditional clinical services and is built upon their lived experience. Peer work:
- Bridges the gap between clients and clinicians. Peer Support Specialists often act as a bridge, helping clients navigate complex mental health systems and encouraging them to engage more fully in their treatment plans.
- Reduces stigma. Peer Support Specialists presence in mental health services challenges societal stigmas and misconceptions about mental illness, promoting acceptance and understanding.
- Improves outcomes. Research has shown that peer support can lead to reduced hospitalization rates, increased engagement in services, and overall better mental health outcomes (Mental Health America).
- Provides cost-effective care. Integrating peer support into mental health services can reduce healthcare costs by decreasing the need for more intensive treatments and promoting long-term recovery.
Request More Information
To learn more about participating in our Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training and certification, please email us by clicking the button below.
Program Success Story
Community Action Marin successfully launched a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist (PSS) Training Program in November 2023 with the support of the agency’s Vice President of Behavioral Health and Training. The program not only provided valuable education and training participants in our A Road to Self Sufficiency program but also supported our organization’s commitment to employee development by including several Community Alternative Response & Engagement (CARE) outreach team members.
The agency secured approval from the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) to offer this curriculum toward certification as Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists. Moreover, offering the training in both English and Spanish underscored our commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring a wider reach and greater impact.
The enthusiastic response from our A Road to Self Sufficiency members to participate in the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist training underscored the relevance of this pathway to certification for our participants. Among them, three individuals demonstrated remarkable commitment by completing 80 hours of training, earning their certificates of completion, and registering for the state exam. Their dedication to advancing their skills in peer support and mental health was truly commendable.