Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_gu6qsb
1. Medi-Cal A public health insurance program in California that provides health care services
to eligible individuals.
2. Peer Support An individual with lived experience who provides support to others in their recov-
Specialist ery journey.
3. Certification A resource designed to help individuals prepare for the certification exam for
Preparation Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists.
Guide
4. Senate Bill 803 Landmark legislation that established a framework for peer support and work-
force expansion in California's public behavioral health system.
5. CalMHSA California Mental Health Services Authority, an organization that supports mental
health services and peer support initiatives.
6. Core Competen- Essential skills and knowledge required for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists to
cies effectively support individuals in recovery.
7. Examination The specific topics and materials that will be covered in the certification exam for
Content Peer Support Specialists.
8. Examination A detailed outline of the structure and content areas of the certification exam.
Blueprint
9. Best Practices for Recommended strategies and methods for effectively studying and preparing for
Exam Prepara- the certification exam.
tion
, Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_gu6qsb
10. Eligibility Re- Criteria that individuals must meet to qualify for the certification exam for Peer
quirements Support Specialists.
11. Registration The process of signing up to take the certification exam for Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialists.
12. Rescheduling The process of changing the date of a scheduled certification exam.
13. Cancelling The act of withdrawing from a scheduled certification exam.
14. Missed Examina- Exams that were not attended by the registered candidate, often requiring
tions rescheduling or cancellation.
15. Reasonable Ac- Adjustments or modifications provided to ensure individuals with disabilities can
commodation participate in the certification exam.
16. Medi-Cal Peer Required for all applicants seeking to be a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support
Support Special- Specialist (PSS) in the State of California.
ist Certification
Examination
17. Peer Support Play a key role in the prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery
Specialists process of individuals living with mental health and substance use disorders.
18. Senate Bill 803 Legislation that led to the establishment of core competencies and a Code of
Ethics for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists.
19. Department of Established core competencies and developed statewide standards for certifica-
Health Care Ser- tion programs for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists.
vices (DHCS)
20. California Men- Selected by county public behavioral health plans as the certifying body for the
tal Health Ser- certification of Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists.
, Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_gu6qsb
vices Authority
(CalMHSA)
21. Human Re- Began a project with CalMHSA in January 2022 to examine the knowledge and job
sources Re- skills necessary for certification as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist.
search Organiza-
tion (HumRRO)
22. Study Aid Designed to help prepare for taking the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certi-
fication Examination.
23. Test-taking Familiarity with these strategies allows focus on applying knowledge rather than
strategies on the testing environment.
24. Medi-Cal Peer A 120-item multiple-choice test designed to measure a candidate's competency
Support Special- in various dimensions related to peer support.
ist certification
exam
25. Preparation time Candidates will have 2.5 hours to complete the exam.
for the exam
26. Core competen- Essential skills and knowledge areas required for effective peer support, including
cies of Medi-Cal hope, recovery, wellness, advocacy, and more.
Peer Support
Specialist
27. Job task analysis A survey conducted to determine critical knowledge and job skills for Peer Support
survey Specialists, accessed by 1,486 participants.
28. Survey comple- Approximately 694 (47%) of the surveys were completed and used in the final
tion rate analysis.
29.
, Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_gu6qsb
Demographic Participants included diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds and gender identities,
composition of primarily speaking English, Spanish, and Chinese.
survey
participants
30. Cultural and Training focused on understanding and addressing cultural and systemic factors
structural com- affecting individuals in peer support.
petence trainings
31. Trauma-in- An approach that recognizes the impact of trauma on individuals and integrates
formed care this understanding into support practices.
32. Group facilitation Skills necessary for effectively leading and managing group discussions and
skills activities.
33. Co-occurring dis- The presence of both mental health and substance use disorders in an individual.
orders
34. Conflict resolu- Techniques and strategies used to resolve disagreements and conflicts in a con-
tion structive manner.
35. Professional Guidelines that help maintain a safe and ethical relationship between peer sup-
boundaries porters and those they support.
36. Safety and crisis Strategies developed to ensure safety and manage crises effectively.
planning
37. Documentation The ability to accurately record and maintain necessary information and standards
skills in peer support.
38. Confidentiality The ethical principle of keeping personal information private and secure.
39. Digital literacy The ability to effectively use digital tools and technology in peer support contexts.
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_gu6qsb
1. Medi-Cal A public health insurance program in California that provides health care services
to eligible individuals.
2. Peer Support An individual with lived experience who provides support to others in their recov-
Specialist ery journey.
3. Certification A resource designed to help individuals prepare for the certification exam for
Preparation Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists.
Guide
4. Senate Bill 803 Landmark legislation that established a framework for peer support and work-
force expansion in California's public behavioral health system.
5. CalMHSA California Mental Health Services Authority, an organization that supports mental
health services and peer support initiatives.
6. Core Competen- Essential skills and knowledge required for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists to
cies effectively support individuals in recovery.
7. Examination The specific topics and materials that will be covered in the certification exam for
Content Peer Support Specialists.
8. Examination A detailed outline of the structure and content areas of the certification exam.
Blueprint
9. Best Practices for Recommended strategies and methods for effectively studying and preparing for
Exam Prepara- the certification exam.
tion
, Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_gu6qsb
10. Eligibility Re- Criteria that individuals must meet to qualify for the certification exam for Peer
quirements Support Specialists.
11. Registration The process of signing up to take the certification exam for Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialists.
12. Rescheduling The process of changing the date of a scheduled certification exam.
13. Cancelling The act of withdrawing from a scheduled certification exam.
14. Missed Examina- Exams that were not attended by the registered candidate, often requiring
tions rescheduling or cancellation.
15. Reasonable Ac- Adjustments or modifications provided to ensure individuals with disabilities can
commodation participate in the certification exam.
16. Medi-Cal Peer Required for all applicants seeking to be a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support
Support Special- Specialist (PSS) in the State of California.
ist Certification
Examination
17. Peer Support Play a key role in the prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery
Specialists process of individuals living with mental health and substance use disorders.
18. Senate Bill 803 Legislation that led to the establishment of core competencies and a Code of
Ethics for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists.
19. Department of Established core competencies and developed statewide standards for certifica-
Health Care Ser- tion programs for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists.
vices (DHCS)
20. California Men- Selected by county public behavioral health plans as the certifying body for the
tal Health Ser- certification of Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists.
, Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_gu6qsb
vices Authority
(CalMHSA)
21. Human Re- Began a project with CalMHSA in January 2022 to examine the knowledge and job
sources Re- skills necessary for certification as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist.
search Organiza-
tion (HumRRO)
22. Study Aid Designed to help prepare for taking the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certi-
fication Examination.
23. Test-taking Familiarity with these strategies allows focus on applying knowledge rather than
strategies on the testing environment.
24. Medi-Cal Peer A 120-item multiple-choice test designed to measure a candidate's competency
Support Special- in various dimensions related to peer support.
ist certification
exam
25. Preparation time Candidates will have 2.5 hours to complete the exam.
for the exam
26. Core competen- Essential skills and knowledge areas required for effective peer support, including
cies of Medi-Cal hope, recovery, wellness, advocacy, and more.
Peer Support
Specialist
27. Job task analysis A survey conducted to determine critical knowledge and job skills for Peer Support
survey Specialists, accessed by 1,486 participants.
28. Survey comple- Approximately 694 (47%) of the surveys were completed and used in the final
tion rate analysis.
29.
, Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Guide
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_gu6qsb
Demographic Participants included diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds and gender identities,
composition of primarily speaking English, Spanish, and Chinese.
survey
participants
30. Cultural and Training focused on understanding and addressing cultural and systemic factors
structural com- affecting individuals in peer support.
petence trainings
31. Trauma-in- An approach that recognizes the impact of trauma on individuals and integrates
formed care this understanding into support practices.
32. Group facilitation Skills necessary for effectively leading and managing group discussions and
skills activities.
33. Co-occurring dis- The presence of both mental health and substance use disorders in an individual.
orders
34. Conflict resolu- Techniques and strategies used to resolve disagreements and conflicts in a con-
tion structive manner.
35. Professional Guidelines that help maintain a safe and ethical relationship between peer sup-
boundaries porters and those they support.
36. Safety and crisis Strategies developed to ensure safety and manage crises effectively.
planning
37. Documentation The ability to accurately record and maintain necessary information and standards
skills in peer support.
38. Confidentiality The ethical principle of keeping personal information private and secure.
39. Digital literacy The ability to effectively use digital tools and technology in peer support contexts.
