Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification

Training for Justice Involved Services

The experience with the criminal justice system can impact an individual’s life in many ways and it is best understood by individuals who have similar lived experience. Peers may support individuals with linking to services that address their behavioral health needs and preventing further involvement in the criminal justice systems and ease reentry into their community after incarceration.

Additional hours of learning will be implemented for Medi-Cal Peers Support Specialist to specialize working with justice involved persons.  Training will focus on the following competencies:

  1.  Application of Lived Experience
  2. Role of Advocacy
  3.  Role of Consumers and Family Members
  4. Engagement Skills and Interventions 
  5. Cultural Responsiveness
  6. Trauma Informed Support
  7. Self-Awareness and Self-Care
  8. Co-occurring disorders of mental health and substance use
  9. Professional Boundaries and Ethics
  10. Safety and Crisis Planning
  11. Community Reintegration Support
  12. Recidivism Risk Factors
  13. Community Reintegration Support