Substance Abuse Prevention and Control
County of Los Angeles Public Health Substance Abuse Prevention and Control

Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists

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Background:

In alignment with the passage of Senate Bill 803 (SB 803), the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) recognizes Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists as a new Medi-Cal provider type and Peer Support Services as a Medi-Cal benefit, effective July 1, 2022. Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists will need to be Medi-Cal certified before being able to bill. California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), in partnership with the County Behavioral Health Plans, is the certifying entity for the state-approved Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification (PSSC) program. More information on the certification process is outlined below.
Peer Support Services are culturally competent individual and group services delivered by Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists. These services augment the SUD treatment services patients receive by promoting recovery, resiliency, engagement, socialization, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, development of natural supports, and identification of strengths through structured activities such as group and individual coaching designed to set and make progress toward recovery goals.

Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist:

Per CalMHSA, a Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist is defined as an individual who is:

  1. 18 years of age or older;
  2. Self-identified as having lived experience with the process of recovery from mental illness, substance use disorder, or both, either as a consumer of mental health or substance use treatment services or as a parent or family member of a consumer of these services or as the parent or family member of the consumer; AND
  3. Granted certification under a county Medi-Cal PSSC program.

Peer Support Services:

Peer Support Services may be provided with the patient or significant support person(s), and may be provided in a clinical or non-clinical setting. DHCS guidance provided in BHIN 21-075 and BHIN 22-026 indicates that Peer Support Services include the following services components:

  • Education Skills Building: Provide a supportive environment where beneficiaries and their families learn coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills to help beneficiaries achieve desired outcomes.
  • Engagement: Peer Support Specialist-led activities and coaching to encourage and motivate beneficiaries to participate in behavioral health treatment.
  • Therapeutic Activity: Structured non-clinical activity provided by a Peer Support Specialist to promote recovery, wellness, self-advocacy, relationship enhancement, development of natural supports, self-awareness and values and maintenance of community living skills to support the beneficiary's treatment to attain and maintain recovery within their communities.
  • Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists can also serve as Contingency Management Coordinators. To learn more about the Contingency Management Program, visit LA County Department of Public Health - Substance Abuse Prevention and Control - Contingency Management.


Peer Documentation Guide: This serves as a guide with examples for Peers to document their services.


Initial Certification Qualifications

Initial Certification is the process by which an applicant can become a Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist if they meet the eligibility criteria and pass the state-approved exam.

To become a Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist, an individual must meet the following qualifications:

  1. Be at least 18 years of age.
  2. Possess a high school diploma or equivalent degree.
  3. Self-identify as having experience with the process of recovery from a mental illness or substance use disorder, either as a consumer of these services or as the parent, caregiver, or family member of a consumer.
  4. Be willing to share their experience.
  5. Have a strong dedication to recovery.
  6. Agree, in writing, to adhere to the Code of Ethics.
  7. Successfully complete the 80-hour training requirements for a peer support specialist through a CalMHSA-approved training equity.
  8. Pass the certification examination.

Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist must renew certification every two (2) years.

For more information, please visit the CalMHSA Certification Requirements. Please note that applications may be processed in up to 30 days.

Additional Information and Resources:
To learn more about Peer Support Certification and Services and sign up for trainings, visit the SAPC Trainings and Events page

SAPC Peer Certification Scholarship Opportunity:(New)

SAPC has contracted with CalMHSA to provide a limited number of scholarships intended to cover costs associated with the Medi-Cal PSSC process. Scholarships are available to individuals who either work or live in Los Angeles County. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Scholarship Coverage Costs
Each scholarship will cover the cost of:
  • CalMHSA application fee for the Medi-Cal PSSC
  • CalMHSA-approved Peer Support Specialist Core Competency 80-hour training with the approved provider of your choice
  • One (1) Medi-Cal PSSC Exam attempt
  • One (1) retake exam (if pre-approved by SAPC on a case-by-case basis)


Scholarship Terms for Awardees
Given the limited number of scholarships, awardees must comply with the following terms to avoid forfeiting their scholarship:
  • Submit the CalMHSA application within three (3) months of being awarded a scholarship.
  • Utilize scholarship voucher codes within one (1) year of receiving the CalMHSA application approval email, including the application, training, and exam.

Note: If the scholarship is forfeited, candidates will need to reapply.

Click here to apply!
The scholarship application period is currently closed. The next cycle of scholarships will be available in January 2025. Scholarships will continue to be available until all funds are exhausted.


SAPC Peer Certification Scholarship and CalMHSA Initial Certification Process:

  • Complete the SAPC Peer Certification Scholarship Application to apply for a SAPC Scholarship.
    • SAPC will review and respond to your application within 30 days of your submission.
    • If approved for a SAPC Scholarship, you will receive voucher codes to be used to pay for the CalMHSA application, training, and exam.
  • Register for the CalMHSA application (use the application voucher code), watch the "Orientation and Self-Assessment" video, and complete the application.
    • You will need a Government-issued ID/License/Passport that shows you are over 18 years of age AND High school diploma/equivalency or other advanced degree in picture (.jpeg) or PDF format.
    • Set aside 45-50 minutes to complete the application.
    • CalMHSA will review applications within 30 days of submission and respond to applicants via email.
  • Complete the 80-hour training requirement from a CalMHSA-approved training entity (use the training voucher code) and upload the training certificate. (Note: Training certificates are only valid for two (2) years from date of completion).

  • Register and pass the certification exam (use the exam voucher code).

  • CalMHSA will email a formal notification of certification. Certified Peer Support Specialists will also be listed on the CalMHSA registry.

For additional information on Steps 2-5, see Certification Timeline.

For additional information about the scholarship process, please see the FAQs compiled by CalMHSA.

For additional information on CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification, visit CA Peer Certification

Resources:

Contacts:

More information about the Peer Certification Program: https://www.capeercertification.org/.

CalMHSA: PeerCertification@calmhsa.org.

SAPC: SAPC_ASOC@ph.lacounty.gov.

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