California Peer Certification
Peers in California can now be certified to bill Medi-Cal for peer support services. Under SB 803 (passed in 2020), the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) was authorized to establish Medi-Cal statewide certification program standards while counties, or county-contracted entities, were charged with implementing programs at the local level. (W&I Code Section 14045.14).
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The California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) is responsible for certification, examination, and enforcement of professional standards for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists in California. DHCS provides oversight for CalMHSA and addresses any issues with established standards.
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Click on a button below to learn more about these agencies, the California Behavioral Health Planning Council and connect to a list of approved training entitites.
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. Read CalMHSA's Peer Certification Proposal to DHCS.
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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.
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CalMHSA performed two landscape analyses of the peer workforce in California. The first was a landscape analysis of Peer Certification Training Curriculum Core Competencies across the United States Landscape Analysis. In this analysis CalMHSAS reviewed existing Peer Certification programs across the United States to compare core curriculums, training standards, required skills, and best practices. The second landscape analysis, focused on specific Core Competencies for Caregiver and Family Member Peers.
Questions and comments related to Peer Certification may be submitted by email to PeerCertification@calmhsa.org or by calling (279) 234-0699
Below are links to the most common information that you need for the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification program. These are links to information from CalMHSA. If any of the links does not work, visit the CalMHSA Peer Certification Website for the most up-to-date information.
General Information
For Certified Medi-Cal Peer Specialists
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.
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Visit the DHCS Peer Support Services website for the most up-to-date information.
General Information
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Medi-Cal Peer Support Services Specialist Program - Frequently Asked Questions (5/10/23)
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Roles and Responsibilities
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​CalAIM 1115 Demonstration and 1915(b) Waiver​
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DRAFT BHIN 23-XXX Medi-Cal Peer Support Services, Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists, and Certification Program Requirements (attached). Supersedes BHINs 21-041; 22-006; 22-018; 22-026; 22-061; 22-062; 22-067; 23-003; 23-010; and 23-012
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BHIN 21-041 Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program Implementation​
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BHIN 22-018 Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Supervisor Training Requirements for Counties
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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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BHIN 22-067 Annual Reporting Requirements for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Programs (12/23/2022)
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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
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BHIN 23-012 Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Fee Schedule Requirements and DHCS Approval Process (3/28/23)
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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 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​
Peer Certification Implementation Trainings
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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.​
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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.​
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The California Behavioral Health Planning Council can be reached at (916) 701-8211 or jane.adcock@cphpc.dhcs.ca.gov