In 2020, California passed a law (Senate Bill 803) that makes it possible for certified peer support specialists to be eligible for Medi-Cal reimbursement through county mental health plans and substance use disorder plans (behavioral health plans). This important step in the delivery of behavioral health care values the experience that peers — persons with lived experience — can provide and expands counties’ capacity to care for those who need them. For details on training, certification, examination, applying and more, visit capeercertification.org.
County behavioral health plans selected CalMHSA to implement a single, standardized Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification program. This was done in recognition of the need for a uniform process across the state — one that does not require peers to obtain multiple certifications in multiple counties, supports quality and application of standards, creates efficiency for counties, and adds credibility to the peer profession in California. Key program activities include:
- Creating and implementing the certification program, approving training entities, certifying persons, conducting investigations, and collecting data
- Administering and disbursing scholarships
- Monitoring program activities, evaluation, and quality assurance; processing complaints and appeals
Program Overview
- Summary of the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists program and CalMHSA’s involvement as the certifying entity
- More information about roles and responsibilities within the program
- Applicant fee schedule
First Cohort of Peer Support Specialists Certified
CalMHSA is pleased to announce that the first group of peer support specialists was certified in late November. The initial certification exam, which includes core competencies developed in collaboration with the peers community, was administered to approximately 140 individuals from 24 counties; more than 90% passed.
Scholarships
The Department of Health Care Services has allocated limited funding for scholarships for peers seeking certification, available only to counties that have elected to implement the peer support benefit. Participating counties have identified individuals for scholarships within their respected county who are currently employed or working within their mental health or behavioral health plans, including their contract provider network. Scholarship applications are due by Dec. 31, 2022.
Grandparenting Process
California recognizes that peers have long functioned as a part of the prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery process for individuals living with mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders. The grandparenting process takes a person’s work experience and training into consideration for meeting the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification. The application deadline has been extended to June 30, 2023.
Initial Certification
Individuals not eligible for the grandparenting process but interested in becoming certified as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist may also apply through the initial certification process.
Areas of Specialization
Specialized training — to support individuals who are unhoused, justice-involved, or in need of crisis services, and for parent/caregiver/family member peers — will also be available. However, those areas of specialization are not required for certification as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist.
Reports
- Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Landscape Analysis Report
- Parent, Caregiver, Family Member Peer Landscape Analysis Report
- Supervision of the Peer Worker Landscape Analysis Report
Medi-Cal Peer Certification Stakeholder Advisory Council
Recognizing the need for input from peers and other stakeholders to implement a Peer Support Specialist certification program, CalMHSA established a Stakeholder Advisory Council that makes recommendations on behalf of a variety of stakeholder groups. The development and selection of the Advisory Council members was conducted in collaboration with the California Association of Mental Health Peer Run Organizations on behalf of DHCS. Advisory Council members were selected through an application process, and the membership reflects the Medi-Cal populations served by the county specialty plans. Wherever possible, Advisory Council members represent underrepresented or difficult-to-engage communities. CalMHSA values continuous quality improvement; the Advisory Council will serve as an avenue for ongoing feedback during the implementation phase and beyond.
| Stakeholder Advisory Committee Meetings | Time | Webinar Links | Dial-In Information | Agendas/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, October 21, 2022 | 1:00-2:15PM | Zoom | Dial-in 1-699-900-9128 Webinar ID: 843 6141 4645 | Agenda/Notes |
| Friday, November 18th, 2022 | 1:00-2:15PM | Zoom | Dial-in 1-699-900-9128 Webinar ID: 843 6141 4645 | Agenda/Notes |
| Friday, December 16, 2022 | 1:00-2:00PM | Zoom | Dial-in: 1-669-900-9128 Webinar ID: 843 6141 4645 | Agenda/Notes |
| Friday, January 20, 2023 | 1:00-2:00PM | Zoom | Dial-in: 1-669-900-9128 Webinar ID: 843 6141 4645 | Agenda |
| Council Member | Organization | County | Region | Represented Counties | Provide Feedback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roberto Roman | Contra Costa Behavioral Health | Contra Costa | Bay Area | Alameda, City of Berkeley, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma | Bay Area Region Feedback |
| Iris Allen-Willis | Community Action Marin | Marin | |||
| Patricia Barrett | San Joaquin County | San Joaquin | Central | Alpine, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Inyo, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter-Yuba, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yolo | Central Region Feedback |
| David Bain | NAMI Sacramento | Sacramento | |||
| Clarene Marie White | Cook N Up Excellence Collective LLC | Fresno | |||
| Martha Contreras | Sycamores | Los Angeles | Los Angeles | Los Angeles, Tri-City | Los Angeles Region Feedback |
| Min Suh | Orange County | Orange | Southern | Imperial, Kern, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura | Southern Region Feedback |
| Kristen Mungcal | Clubhouse Expansion Program | San Bernardino | |||
| Karin Lettau | CAMHPRO | San Diego | |||
| Maria Arteaga | Santa Barbara County | Santa Barbara | |||
| Carrie Manning | Lake County Behavioral Health | Lake | Superior | Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity | Superior Region Feedback |
| Adelaida Moore | Sunrays of Hope | Modoc |
Questions or comments? [email protected]In 2020, California passed a law (Senate Bill 803) that makes it possible for certified peer support specialists to be eligible for Medi-Cal reimbursement through county mental health plans and substance use disorder plans (behavioral health plans). This important step in the delivery of behavioral health care values the experience that peers — persons with lived experience — can provide and expands counties’ capacity to care for those who need them.