CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialist Certification Exam Questions
& Answers 100% Solved!
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Core Competencies - ANSWERS1. The concepts of
hope, recovery, and wellness.
2. The role of advocacy.
3. The role of consumers and family members
4. Psychiatric rehabilitation skills and service delivery, and addiction recovery principles,
including defined practices.
5. Cultural and structural competence trainings.
6. Trauma-informed care.
7. Group facilitation skills.
8. Self-awareness and self-care.
9. Co-occurring disorders of mental health and substance use.
10. Conflict resolution.
11. Professional boundaries and ethics.
12. Preparation for employment opportunities, including study and test-taking skills,
application and résumé preparation, interviewing, and other potential requirements for
employment.
13. Safety and crisis planning.
14. Navigation of, and referral to, other services.
15. Documentation skills and standards.
16. Confidentiality.
17. Digital literacy.
Ten guiding principles of recovery as defined by the federal Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). - ANSWERS1. Recovery emerges
from hope
2. Recovery is person‐driven
3. Recovery occurs via many pathways
4. Recovery is holistic
5. Recovery is supported by peers and allies
6. Recovery is supported through relationship and social
networks
7. Recovery is culturally based and influenced
8. Recovery is supported by addressing trauma
9. Recovery involves individual, family, and community
strengths and responsibilities
10. Recovery is based on respect
, This core competency consists of the themes of self-determination and being voluntary
and person-centered. - ANSWERS1. The concepts of hope, recovery, and wellness.
Person-Centered Services are.... - ANSWERSPeer recovery support services are
always directed by the person participating in services. Peer recovery support is
personalized to align with the specific hopes, goals, and preferences of the individual
served and to respond to specific needs the individuals have identified to the peer
support specialist.
Voluntary services are... - ANSWERSPeer support specialists are partners and
consultants to those they serve. They do not dictate the types of services provided or
the elements of recovery plans that will guide their work with peers. Participation in peer
recovery support services is always contingent on peer choice.
Self-Determination is... - ANSWERSThe primary responsibility of Certified Peer
Specialists is to help individuals achieve their own needs, wants, and goals.
(Independent Living Philosophy). Certified Peer Specialists will be guided by the
principle of self-determination for all.
Know the five stages in the recovery process, what is helpful and not helpful at each
stage, and the role of peer support services at each stage of the recovery process. -
ANSWERS
Know the difference between treatment goals and recovery goals. - ANSWERS
Define the concept of a wellness-focused approach to recovery. - ANSWERS
Principles of Empowerment - ANSWERS
internal VS external stigma - ANSWERS
Know the difference between an illness story and a recovery story. - ANSWERS
What is Person-Centered language? - ANSWERSPerson-first (or person-centered)
language refers to choosing and using words that recognize and refer to individuals -
first and foremost - as people. This demonstrates respect for each person's basic
humanity. It emphasizes their unique traits, strengths, and worth.
What does "Strengths-Based" mean? - ANSWERSthe strength-based approach is a
"work practice theory" that focuses on an individual's self-determination and strength
(McCashen, 2005).
This type of approach builds on clients' strengths, seeing them as resourceful and
resilient when they are in adverse conditions (McCashen, 2005). It is also client led and
centered on outcomes, getting people to affect change in themselves.
What does "trauma-informed" mean? - ANSWERSTrauma-informed care acknowledges
the need to understand a patient's life experiences in order to deliver effective care and
Specialist Certification Exam Questions
& Answers 100% Solved!
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Core Competencies - ANSWERS1. The concepts of
hope, recovery, and wellness.
2. The role of advocacy.
3. The role of consumers and family members
4. Psychiatric rehabilitation skills and service delivery, and addiction recovery principles,
including defined practices.
5. Cultural and structural competence trainings.
6. Trauma-informed care.
7. Group facilitation skills.
8. Self-awareness and self-care.
9. Co-occurring disorders of mental health and substance use.
10. Conflict resolution.
11. Professional boundaries and ethics.
12. Preparation for employment opportunities, including study and test-taking skills,
application and résumé preparation, interviewing, and other potential requirements for
employment.
13. Safety and crisis planning.
14. Navigation of, and referral to, other services.
15. Documentation skills and standards.
16. Confidentiality.
17. Digital literacy.
Ten guiding principles of recovery as defined by the federal Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). - ANSWERS1. Recovery emerges
from hope
2. Recovery is person‐driven
3. Recovery occurs via many pathways
4. Recovery is holistic
5. Recovery is supported by peers and allies
6. Recovery is supported through relationship and social
networks
7. Recovery is culturally based and influenced
8. Recovery is supported by addressing trauma
9. Recovery involves individual, family, and community
strengths and responsibilities
10. Recovery is based on respect
, This core competency consists of the themes of self-determination and being voluntary
and person-centered. - ANSWERS1. The concepts of hope, recovery, and wellness.
Person-Centered Services are.... - ANSWERSPeer recovery support services are
always directed by the person participating in services. Peer recovery support is
personalized to align with the specific hopes, goals, and preferences of the individual
served and to respond to specific needs the individuals have identified to the peer
support specialist.
Voluntary services are... - ANSWERSPeer support specialists are partners and
consultants to those they serve. They do not dictate the types of services provided or
the elements of recovery plans that will guide their work with peers. Participation in peer
recovery support services is always contingent on peer choice.
Self-Determination is... - ANSWERSThe primary responsibility of Certified Peer
Specialists is to help individuals achieve their own needs, wants, and goals.
(Independent Living Philosophy). Certified Peer Specialists will be guided by the
principle of self-determination for all.
Know the five stages in the recovery process, what is helpful and not helpful at each
stage, and the role of peer support services at each stage of the recovery process. -
ANSWERS
Know the difference between treatment goals and recovery goals. - ANSWERS
Define the concept of a wellness-focused approach to recovery. - ANSWERS
Principles of Empowerment - ANSWERS
internal VS external stigma - ANSWERS
Know the difference between an illness story and a recovery story. - ANSWERS
What is Person-Centered language? - ANSWERSPerson-first (or person-centered)
language refers to choosing and using words that recognize and refer to individuals -
first and foremost - as people. This demonstrates respect for each person's basic
humanity. It emphasizes their unique traits, strengths, and worth.
What does "Strengths-Based" mean? - ANSWERSthe strength-based approach is a
"work practice theory" that focuses on an individual's self-determination and strength
(McCashen, 2005).
This type of approach builds on clients' strengths, seeing them as resourceful and
resilient when they are in adverse conditions (McCashen, 2005). It is also client led and
centered on outcomes, getting people to affect change in themselves.
What does "trauma-informed" mean? - ANSWERSTrauma-informed care acknowledges
the need to understand a patient's life experiences in order to deliver effective care and
