Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification

Scope of Practice

The Department of Health Care Services sets the scope of practice for certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists in California. 

Educational Skill Building Groups

Providing a supportive environment in which beneficiaries and their families learn coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills in order to help the beneficiaries achieve desired outcomes. These groups promote skill building for the beneficiaries in the areas of socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, development of natural supports, and maintenance of skills learned in other support services.

Engagement

Peer Support Specialist led activities and coaching to encourage and support beneficiaries to participate in behavioral health treatment. Engagement may include supporting beneficiaries in their transitions between levels of care and supporting beneficiaries in developing their own recovery goals and processes.


Therapeutic Activity

A 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 the maintenance of community living skills to support the beneficiary’s treatment to attain and maintain recovery within their communities. These activities may include, but are not limited to, advocacy on behalf of the beneficiary; promotion of self-advocacy; resource navigation; and collaboration with the beneficiaries and others providing care or support to the beneficiary, family members, or significant support persons.


Following the Code of Ethics

The principles in the Code of Ethics for Certified Peer Support Specialists in California were developed by the California Department of Health Care Services to guide Certified Peer Support Specialists in their roles and responsibilities and levels of responsibility in which they function professionally.