Newsletter Article

Counties To See More Than 1,000 New Medi-Cal Certified Peers From CalMHSA-Led Program

Key staff: Lucero Robles, LCSW, Director of Quality Assurance & Compliance 

CalMHSA has begun work on a project with the Department of Health Care Services to expand the behavioral health workforce by increasing the number of Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists (CMPSS) by more than 1,000 in early 2025.

Throughout the winter of 2025, interested peers will receive 40 hours of virtual training and 40 hours of in-person training by trainers selected through an RFP process and previously approved under the CMPSS program. In-person training will be held in at least 13 different counties.

Counties that wish to identify participants to attend can forward this link and ask them to complete a short questionnaire.

To be eligible, participants must be willing to complete the 80-hour course and employed directly with a county or a county subcontractor. County behavioral health plans or subcontractors will select individuals to participate. The cost of one certification exam will also be covered; participants must take the exam by April 2025.

Data shows the statewide average of certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists is just 31 per 100,000 individuals in the Medi-Cal population. This DCHS-funded training aims to increase those numbers and fulfill a critical need in public behavioral health.

“We’re excited to help enhance behavioral health services across counties throughout California with peer support services,” said Executive Director Amie Miller. “Peers make a uniquely valuable contribution to behavioral health that both increases access and improves wellness.”

Counties were sent an email with complete details; questions can be directed to [email protected].

January 3, 2025