CALIFORNIA
PEER CERTIFICATION
The California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) is the certifying entity, responsible for certification, examination, and enforcement of professional standards for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists in California. All applicants seeking certification are required to successfully pass an exam ensuring any individual holding a certification has meet the minimum educational requirements. CalMHSA investigates consumer complaints and imposes disciplinary actions against a Certificant who violates the Code of Ethics.
The California Mental Health Services Authority works with its Stakeholder Advisory Council and County Behavioral Health Plans to ensure the voice of Peers is reflective in its certification program.
Questions and comments related to Peer Certification may be submitted by email to PeerCertification@calmhsa.org or by calling (279) 234-0699
VISIT THE CalMHSA PEER CERTIFICATION WEBSITE FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION.
General Information
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Certification Requirements
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CalMHSA Peer Certification Proposal to Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
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Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification: Code of Ethics
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Landscape Analysis: Peer Certification Training Curriculum Core Competencies
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Parent, Caregiver, Family Member Peer Landscape Analysis Report
Certification Program
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Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification: Guidelines, Standards, and Procedures (2023)
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Peer Support Specialist Certification Fee Schedule
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How to Revise Your Application
Initial Certification (Non-Grandparenting)
Grandparenting
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Grandparenting Process Preparation
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Grandparenting Guidelines
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Grandparenting Application
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Grandparenting Application instructions
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Grandparenting Website Instructions
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Letter of Recommendation Instructions
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Letter of Recommendation Template and Employment Verification Form
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Sample Colleague Letter of Recommendation
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Sample Supervisor Letter of Recommendation
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Sample Employment Verification
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Cal Voices Grandparenting Webinar Recording
Scholarships
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Scholarship Information
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Certification Scholarship Guidelines
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Grandparenting Scholarship
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Initial Certification Scholarships
- Frequently Asked Questions
Training
Examination
Senate Bill (SB) 803, chaptered in 2020, authorized DHCS to seek federal approvals to add peer support specialists as a Medi-Cal provider type and peer support services as a distinct service type in counties opting to participate in this program. DHCS is pursuing these federal approvals through the Medicaid waiver and State Plan Amendment processes.
SB 803 created the statutory authority for DHCS to establish Medi-Cal statewide certification program standards while counties, or county-contracted entities, are responsible for implementing the programs at the local level. (W&I Code Section 14045.14)
Questions and comments related to the implementation of SB 803 may be submitted by email to Peers@dhcs.ca.gov.
VISIT THE DHCS PEER SUPPORT SERVICES WEBSITE FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION.
General information
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Roles and Responsibilities
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CalAIM 1115 Demonstration and 1915(b) Waiver
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BHIN 22-018 Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Supervisor Training Requirements for Counties
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BHIN 21-045 Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) Peer Support Services Implementation Fiscal Plan Guide
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BHIN 21-041 Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program Implementation
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BHIN 20-056 Peer Support Services: Available Funding Sources (11/13/2020)
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Senate Bill 803: Mental Health Services: Peer Support Specialist Certification
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Medi-Cal Code of Ethics for Peer Support Specialists in California
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BHIN 22-026 Drug Medi-Cal (DMC), Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) and Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) Peer Support Services
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BHIN 22-061 Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Areas of Specialization
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BHIN 22-062 Complaints and Investigations of Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Programs
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(Updated in BHIN-23-003) BHIN 22-066 Extended Deadlines for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Grandparenting and Implementation of Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program Curriculum (12/21/2022)
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BHIN 22-067 Annual Reporting Requirements for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Programs (12/23/2022)
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(NEW) BHIN 23-003 Extended Deadlines for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Grandparenting and Implementation of Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program Curriculum (2/10/2023) (Supersedes BHIN 22-066)
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BHIN 23-010 Revised Peer Support Service Function Code
Peer Certification Implementation Presentations:
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Building Your Behavioral Health Workforce PowerPoint - April 26, 2022
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How to Become a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists PowerPoint - May 10, 2022
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Supervision of Med-Cal Peer Support Specialists PowerPoint - May 17, 2022
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Peer Support Specialists: Roles and Responsibilities - June 7, 2022
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Peer Support Specialists: Areas of Specialization - June 14, 2022
Certification Training
Training for Initial Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification must be obtained from a CalMHSA-approved training program!
CalMHSA has approved the following training vendors to provide the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Training:
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Peer Wellness Collective (formerly Alameda County Mental Health Network of Clients (BestNow!))
The California Behavioral Health Planning Council (CBHPC) is a majority Consumer and Family member advisory body to state and local government, the Legislature, and residents of California on mental health services in California.
The vision and mission of the CBHPC guides its evaluation of California's system of behavioral health care through targeted committee studies, community site visits, and General Session forums and presentations. The CBHPC informs the Administration and the Legislature on priority issues, provides feedback on behavioral health policy and regulations, and on legislative actions based on our Policy Platform.
The California Behavioral Health Planning Council can be reached at (916) 701-8211 or jane.adcock@cphpc.dhcs.ca.gov.