Agency Biography
Contra Costa Behavioral Health, Office for Peer & Family Empowerment (OPFE) advances wellness, recovery, and resiliency for peers and family members through advocacy, education, and workforce development. OPFE programs are grounded in elevating peer and family voice and strengthening their meaningful inclusion within the community and behavioral health system of care.
The Service Provider Individualized Recovery Intensive Training (SPIRIT) is an official Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification training vendor. SPIRIT is a college-accredited, peer-led program that combines classroom instruction with experiential learning. Delivered annually from January through July, the program is offered through a partnership between OPFE and Contra Costa College. In addition to certification training, SPIRIT provides ongoing support with workforce placement and career advancement, aligning with graduates’ professional goals.
The mission of Contra Costa Behavioral Health is to provide welcoming, integrated services for mental health, substance abuse, and other needs that promote wellness, recovery, and resiliency while respecting the complexity and diversity of the people we serve. This mission reflects the organization’s commitment to creating a system of care that supports independence, hope, and healthy lives by making accessible behavioral health services that are responsive to the needs of the community.
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Training Schedule
Training Method: Cohort
Training Modality: In-Person
Training Location(s): Contra Costa College, 2600 Mission Bell Drive, San Pablo, CA 94806
Training Length: 111 classroom hours, plus 60 internship hours
Training Hours: Semester I and II (January to May) Mondays and Wednesdays 11:00am to 2:00pm; Semester III (June and July) Mondays only 11:00am to 2:00pm; plus an internship 10 hours a week equaling 60 hours (internship hours vary depending on student and internship site schedule)
Registration Capacity: 55 students maximum per cohort
Link to register for classes:
Click here for more info