news & events
April 19 – June 15
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Training
➡️➡️➡️ Click to Sign-Up Here
Sign up now to express your interest in SHARE! Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification training. There may be a waitlist due to high demand. This is a $1,600 course for which scholarships are available for those who want to work in the public mental health system.
➡️ Agencies/providers: please contact training@shareselfhelp.org with your training needs for your Peers (in-person or online).
Those who meet the criteria will be invited to register for the training in person at SHARE! Culver City in 2024 on Friday & Saturday on five alternating weekends starting April 2024. The dates are April 19 & 20, May 3 & 4, May 17 & 18, May 31 and June 1 and June 14 & 15, 2024.
Some funding for travel and accommodations available for those from outside Los Angeles County. If you are not volunteering/working in the peer workforce, you will be invited to a mandatory orientation.
- 80 hours of training, attendance at 20 self-help support groups, assessment
- Learn the evidence-based best practices for Peer Services
- Learn the 12 Tools of the SHARE! PeerKit
- Get prepared for California Peer Certification exam
- CalMHSA-approved training entity–scholarship recipients welcome
Specialization Trainings
SHARE! is authorized by CalMHA to offer 40 hours of training in four specializations:
- Parent, Caregiver, Family Member Peer Specialization
- Peer Services for Unhoused
- Peer Services for Justice Involved
- Peer Services in Crisis Care
Applicants must be certified California Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists and working in the peer workforce. The cost is $1,600.
➡️➡️➡️ To express interest in 2024 Specialization trainings, click here.
What is a Peer Support Specialist?
A Peer Support Specialist is an individual having lived experience with the process of recovery from mental health or substance use concerns, or both, either as a consumer of these services or as the parent or family member of the consumer.
Applicants who are not working in the peer workforce must attend a Training Orientation — details will be sent to those who submit an Expression of Interest.
What is it like in the peer workforce? To explore job opportunities, salary levels and job descriptions in the peer workforce, go to indeed.com and search “peer support specialist.” (https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=peer+support+specialist&l=california&vjk=7411f2d41301e7a0)
What is Medi-Cal Certification?
Peers certified as Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists are recognized as a Medi-Cal Provider type and therefore are permitted to provide Medi-Cal services reimbursable to the Medi-Cal certified program. To learn more about the implementation of the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification bill, please see the Peer Certification page (https://capeercertification.org)
If you are not from California, please check with your local Department of Behavioral Health or Mental Health for trainings which meet your state’s requirements.
Who is eligible for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification training?
- California members of the peer workforce (defined as having lived experience with the process of recovery from mental health issues, substance use, or both, either as a consumer of these services or as the parent or family member of the consumer)
- Those who would like to work in the peer workforce in such roles as Mental Health Peer Advocates, Peer Partners, Peer Specialists, Peer Support, Peer Partner, Art Therapy Peer Specialists, Substance Use Disorder Advocates, Drug Court Mentors, Parent Partners, Forensic Peer Specialists, Peer Employment Specialists, Peer Housing Specialists, Sober Living Specialists, Homeless Outreach, Peer Bridgers, Recovery Coaches, Sober Coaches, Wellness Outreach Workers (WOW), Community Workers, Promotoras as well as other such positions.
Contact information
Trainers Libby Hartigan, Jessica Miller, Billy Douglas
To earn certificate, students must attend training sessions, attend self-help support groups, complete an internship/work experience and pass a final assessment.
Questions? E-mail training@shareselfhelp.org or call (310) 305-8878 x214 (Mon.-Fri from 1 to 6 pm)
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This notice was prepared as part of work sponsored by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) but does not necessarily represent the views of CalMHSA or its staff except to the extent, if any, that it has formally been approved by CalMHSA.
Scholarships for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist training are offered through HCAI.
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Your donation helps bring thousands into recovery, housing, jobs, and a better life.
