Peer Certification

For details on training, certification, examination, applying and more, visit capeercertification.org.

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.

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

For more information visit www.capeercertification.org. Questions or comments can be sent to [email protected].

News and Updates
Program Overview
Core Competencies

Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist

Parent, Caregiver, Family Member Peer Competencies (specialization)

Crisis Care (Specialization)

Justice-Involved (specialization)

Persons Unhoused (specialization)

Supervision of Peer Workers

Specialized Training

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.

Stakeholder Advisory Council

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

Date
Time
Webinar Links
Dial-In Information
Downloads
Friday, January 20, 2023
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Dial-in: 1-669-900-9128 Webinar ID: 843 6141 4645
Friday, February 17, 2023
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Cancelled
Cancelled
Friday, March 17, 2023
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Dial-in: 1-669-444-9171 Webinar ID: 878 1225 7014
Friday, April 21, 2023
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Dial-in: 1-669-444-9171 Webinar ID: 895 6617 3539
Friday, May 19, 2023
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Dial-in: 1-669-444-9171 Webinar ID: 895 6617 3539
Friday, June 16, 2023
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Dial-in: 1-669-444-9171 Webinar ID: 895 6617 3539
Friday, July 21, 2023
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Dial-in: 1-669-444-9171 Webinar ID: 895 6617 3539
Friday, August 18, 2023
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Friday, September 15, 2023
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Dial-in: 1-669-444-9171 Webinar ID: 895 6617 3539
Friday, October 20, 2023
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Dial-in: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 895 6617 3539
Friday, November 17, 2023
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Dial-in: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 895 6617 3539
Friday, December 15, 2023
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Dial-in: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 895 6617 3539

Council Member Information

Council Member
Organization
County
Region
Represented Counties
Provide Feedback
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
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
Placer County
Placer County
Central
Alpine, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Inyo, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter-Yuba, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yolo
Cook N Up Excellence Collective LLC
Fresno
Alpine, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Inyo, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter-Yuba, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yolo
Sycamores
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, Tri-City
Orange County
Orange
Southern
Imperial, Kern, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura
Clubhouse Expansion Program
San Bernardino
Southern
Imperial, Kern, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura
Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara
Southern
Imperial, Kern, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura
Lake County Behavioral Health
Lake
Superior
Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity
Sunrays of Hope
Modoc
Superior
Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity
This powerful dashboard of the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification program illustrates how peers are making a difference in and for their communities: