Peer Certification

• RAND Publishes Study of Early Implementation of Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program: To inform continual improvement of the program and help design future comprehensive evaluations, CalMHSA asked RAND to conduct an evaluation of the early implementation of the program. Researchers found several positive outcomes for Peer specialists and offered recommendations for further development.

• Spanish Version of Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Exam Now Available: We are thrilled to announce the addition of a Spanish version of the certification exam. This development will ensure we reach a wider audience and foster an even more diverse community of certified professionals in the behavioral health workforce. To ensure a smooth experience for eligible candidates opting for the Spanish version, the process is as simple as selecting the “Spanish” option on the screen when scheduling the exam. The Spanish version is made possible with funding from the Department of Health Care Services.

• The Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Registry is now available.
• The Best Practice Guide for Employing Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists includes valuable insights for optimizing the integration of a peer workforce.

Please note: Due to a lower than anticipated number of scholarship applications for specific areas of specialization, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is exploring the possibility of reallocating scholarship funds to other program areas. These may include the development of Spanish curriculum and offering fee waivers to eligible peers who are seeking certification. As a result, scholarships are currently unavailable for application until final decisions are made. CalMHSA remains committed to working closely with DHCS on the funding details and will provide timely updates to the community as needed.

• 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

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

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

Council Member Information