CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification Exam
adult
an individual who is 18 years of age or older
beneficiary/recipient
an individual who receives peer services from a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA)
the certifying entity approved by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to certify
peer support specialists, peer support specialist training entities, and peer support specialist
continuing education providers
certificant
an individual who has been certified as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist by CalMHSA
certication
indicated all requirements of a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist have been met
certifying entity
indicates CalMHSA, the organization selected by California Counties, with a plan approved by the
Department of Health Care Services, to certify Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists and approve training
providers.
Code of Ethics
a set of guidelines a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California adheres to around their
roles and responsibilities and levels of responsibility in which they function professionally.
consumer
a person who is receiving mental health and/or substance use disorder (behavioral health services) in
a public county behavioral health delivery system.
continued education
the education a Certificant receives to further develop their professional knowledge around best
practices, updated laws, and/or specialized training.
core competencies
minimum knowledge base necessary to perform role or job activities as a Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialist in California.
county reciprocity
the recognition of certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists by public county behavioral health
plans.
culturally appropriate services
, a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist is promoting engagement in a manner that best aligns
with the cultural beliefs and practices of the person they serve.
dual relationship
a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist's non-therapeutic relationship with a recipient of care. It includes
any activity identified as not allowed within the Code of Ethics.
grandparenting process
the process by which an individual who is employed as a peer on January 1, 2022, or prior to that
date, are eligible to seek certification as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist so long as they meet the
eligibility criteria and successfully pass the state-approved exam.
initial certification
the process for an applicant to become certified as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist for the first
time so long as they meet the eligibility criteria and successfully pass the state-approved exam.
lived experience
an individual's first-hand experience with a mental health and/or substance use challenges, including
the process of recovery and engagement of resiliency within that experience.
Medi-Cal
California's Medicaid health care program that includes a variety of medical services for children and
adults with a qualifying income or medical condition.
Medi-Cal peer support specialist
an individual who is 18 years of age or older, who has self-identified as having lived experience with
the process of recovery from mental illness, substance use disorder, or both, either as a consumer of
these services or as a parent or family member of the consumer, and who has been granted
certification under a county Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification program.
Medi-Cal peer support specialist services
culturally appropriate services that promote engagement, socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, self-
advocacy, development of natural supports, and identification of strengths. Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialist services include, but are not limited to, prevention services, support, coaching, facilitation,
or education that is individualized and is conducted by a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist.
natural supports
the personal connections to an individual's community that enhances the quality of their life.
out-of-state reciprocity
the recognition that an individual has received certification for peer support from another state and
they meet the qualifications specified under the policies in this document.
peer
persons who share similar understanding of experiences with mental health and/or substance use
challenges.
adult
an individual who is 18 years of age or older
beneficiary/recipient
an individual who receives peer services from a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA)
the certifying entity approved by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to certify
peer support specialists, peer support specialist training entities, and peer support specialist
continuing education providers
certificant
an individual who has been certified as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist by CalMHSA
certication
indicated all requirements of a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist have been met
certifying entity
indicates CalMHSA, the organization selected by California Counties, with a plan approved by the
Department of Health Care Services, to certify Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists and approve training
providers.
Code of Ethics
a set of guidelines a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California adheres to around their
roles and responsibilities and levels of responsibility in which they function professionally.
consumer
a person who is receiving mental health and/or substance use disorder (behavioral health services) in
a public county behavioral health delivery system.
continued education
the education a Certificant receives to further develop their professional knowledge around best
practices, updated laws, and/or specialized training.
core competencies
minimum knowledge base necessary to perform role or job activities as a Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialist in California.
county reciprocity
the recognition of certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists by public county behavioral health
plans.
culturally appropriate services
, a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist is promoting engagement in a manner that best aligns
with the cultural beliefs and practices of the person they serve.
dual relationship
a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist's non-therapeutic relationship with a recipient of care. It includes
any activity identified as not allowed within the Code of Ethics.
grandparenting process
the process by which an individual who is employed as a peer on January 1, 2022, or prior to that
date, are eligible to seek certification as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist so long as they meet the
eligibility criteria and successfully pass the state-approved exam.
initial certification
the process for an applicant to become certified as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist for the first
time so long as they meet the eligibility criteria and successfully pass the state-approved exam.
lived experience
an individual's first-hand experience with a mental health and/or substance use challenges, including
the process of recovery and engagement of resiliency within that experience.
Medi-Cal
California's Medicaid health care program that includes a variety of medical services for children and
adults with a qualifying income or medical condition.
Medi-Cal peer support specialist
an individual who is 18 years of age or older, who has self-identified as having lived experience with
the process of recovery from mental illness, substance use disorder, or both, either as a consumer of
these services or as a parent or family member of the consumer, and who has been granted
certification under a county Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification program.
Medi-Cal peer support specialist services
culturally appropriate services that promote engagement, socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, self-
advocacy, development of natural supports, and identification of strengths. Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialist services include, but are not limited to, prevention services, support, coaching, facilitation,
or education that is individualized and is conducted by a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist.
natural supports
the personal connections to an individual's community that enhances the quality of their life.
out-of-state reciprocity
the recognition that an individual has received certification for peer support from another state and
they meet the qualifications specified under the policies in this document.
peer
persons who share similar understanding of experiences with mental health and/or substance use
challenges.
