CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support
Certification Exam
A consumer comes to you and says they were not hired at a job because of their disability. What
actions should the Peer Support Specialist take? - ANS-Key: Educate the consumer on State
Disability Laws before speaking to the business.
KSA Dimension: 5. Advocacy
KSA: 5.2
Rationale: This is a correct response because educating the consumer on this issue will
empower them to voice their concerns appropriately.
\A consumer explains that it is taboo for someone to share their struggles with family members
in their culture. How would the Peer Support Specialist support the consumer? - ANS-Key:
Roleplay or act out with the consumer ways the consumer can raise the topic with loved ones.
KSA Dimension: 3. Interpersonal Skills
KSA: 3.7. Work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, being respectful and
responsive to their cultural beliefs and practices.
Rationale: This option maintains the established relationship between peer provider and
consumer while also providing the consumer with self-directed communication strategies for
addressing the situation
\A consumer expressed feeling overwhelmed with the requirements of their probation officer and
service providers. How can a Peer Support Specialist assist the consumer with navigating the
expectations. - ANS-Key: Help the consumer arrange a meeting with both parties to discuss
their viewpoint.
KSA Dimension: 6. Community Inclusion
KSA: 6.4. Serve as a liaison for collaboration with individuals, agency staff, family, friends,
community partners, and other relevant stakeholders (e.g., politicians, coalitions, and special
interest groups).
Rationale: This option encourages supporting the consumer to self-advocate for their needs and
wants with their care team.
\A consumer expresses they want to give the Peer Support Specialist a gift to show their
appreciation for the help they have received. How would the Peer Support Specialist respond? -
ANS-Key: Thank the consumer for their thoughtfulness before declining the gift.
KSA Dimension: 1. Administrative Responsibilities
KSA: 1.2. Maintain professional standards and boundaries by observing the guidelines
established by the agency you represent.
, Rationale: This response differentiates itself from the detractors by its acknowledgement of the
consumer's intentions while also maintaining the standards outlined in the "Integrity" portion of
the Peer Code of Ethics.
\A consumer has been spending the last few weeks joking around and not taking group
seriously. How would the Peer Support Specialist support the consumer? - ANS-Key: Continue
to stay focused on the consumer's recovery goals.
KSA Dimension: 3. Interpersonal Skills
KSA: 3.5. Practice self-awareness to ensure that the individual's resiliency and recovery remain
the focal point of the peer support relationship.
Rationale: This is the best option as it refocuses on the consumer's needs and wants.
\A consumer is frustrated because several difference service providers are not communicating
well when it comes to their care. How can the Peer Support Specialist support this consumer? -
ANS-Key: Encourage the consumer to request a team meeting so all staff can connect.
KSA Dimension: 4. Recovery Support
KSA: 4.11. Provide individuals with tools or knowledge to support a self-driven perspective in
collaboration with other service providers.
Rationale: This option encourages consumer to self-advocate for their needs and wants with
their care team.
\A consumer tells a Peer Support Specialist that they are struggling to create a plan for
managing future behavioral health crises. What action would the Peer Support Specialist take to
support the consumer? - ANS-Key: Help the consumer come up with a plan together.
KSA Dimension: 8. Crisis Management
KSA: 8.2. Help individuals develop an advanced strategy for planning and managing behavioral
health crises.
Rationale: This option acknowledges the role of peer providers in supporting consumers with
advanced planning for crisis supports while maintaining the involvement of the consumer in the
development of the resource
\A consumer tells a Peer Support Specialist that they have a lot of situational stress that is not a
result of their diagnosis. What action would the Peer Support Specialist take in supporting the
consumer? - ANS-Key: Assist the consumer in developing a wellness plan to address their
concerns.
KSA Dimension: 4. Recovery Support
KSA: 4.6. Utilize specific tools and models (e.g., harm reduction, mindfulness) to assist
individuals in creating their own wellness and recovery plans.
Rationale: This is a correct response because it utilizes a specific model to help the consumer
build the right tools to use in the scenario.
\A consumer wants to use their experience with managing their mental illness to help others.
How can the Peer Support Specialist help the consumer to accomplish this goal? - ANS-Key:
Assist the consumer by providing encouragement, direction, and support of their advocacy
desires.
Certification Exam
A consumer comes to you and says they were not hired at a job because of their disability. What
actions should the Peer Support Specialist take? - ANS-Key: Educate the consumer on State
Disability Laws before speaking to the business.
KSA Dimension: 5. Advocacy
KSA: 5.2
Rationale: This is a correct response because educating the consumer on this issue will
empower them to voice their concerns appropriately.
\A consumer explains that it is taboo for someone to share their struggles with family members
in their culture. How would the Peer Support Specialist support the consumer? - ANS-Key:
Roleplay or act out with the consumer ways the consumer can raise the topic with loved ones.
KSA Dimension: 3. Interpersonal Skills
KSA: 3.7. Work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, being respectful and
responsive to their cultural beliefs and practices.
Rationale: This option maintains the established relationship between peer provider and
consumer while also providing the consumer with self-directed communication strategies for
addressing the situation
\A consumer expressed feeling overwhelmed with the requirements of their probation officer and
service providers. How can a Peer Support Specialist assist the consumer with navigating the
expectations. - ANS-Key: Help the consumer arrange a meeting with both parties to discuss
their viewpoint.
KSA Dimension: 6. Community Inclusion
KSA: 6.4. Serve as a liaison for collaboration with individuals, agency staff, family, friends,
community partners, and other relevant stakeholders (e.g., politicians, coalitions, and special
interest groups).
Rationale: This option encourages supporting the consumer to self-advocate for their needs and
wants with their care team.
\A consumer expresses they want to give the Peer Support Specialist a gift to show their
appreciation for the help they have received. How would the Peer Support Specialist respond? -
ANS-Key: Thank the consumer for their thoughtfulness before declining the gift.
KSA Dimension: 1. Administrative Responsibilities
KSA: 1.2. Maintain professional standards and boundaries by observing the guidelines
established by the agency you represent.
, Rationale: This response differentiates itself from the detractors by its acknowledgement of the
consumer's intentions while also maintaining the standards outlined in the "Integrity" portion of
the Peer Code of Ethics.
\A consumer has been spending the last few weeks joking around and not taking group
seriously. How would the Peer Support Specialist support the consumer? - ANS-Key: Continue
to stay focused on the consumer's recovery goals.
KSA Dimension: 3. Interpersonal Skills
KSA: 3.5. Practice self-awareness to ensure that the individual's resiliency and recovery remain
the focal point of the peer support relationship.
Rationale: This is the best option as it refocuses on the consumer's needs and wants.
\A consumer is frustrated because several difference service providers are not communicating
well when it comes to their care. How can the Peer Support Specialist support this consumer? -
ANS-Key: Encourage the consumer to request a team meeting so all staff can connect.
KSA Dimension: 4. Recovery Support
KSA: 4.11. Provide individuals with tools or knowledge to support a self-driven perspective in
collaboration with other service providers.
Rationale: This option encourages consumer to self-advocate for their needs and wants with
their care team.
\A consumer tells a Peer Support Specialist that they are struggling to create a plan for
managing future behavioral health crises. What action would the Peer Support Specialist take to
support the consumer? - ANS-Key: Help the consumer come up with a plan together.
KSA Dimension: 8. Crisis Management
KSA: 8.2. Help individuals develop an advanced strategy for planning and managing behavioral
health crises.
Rationale: This option acknowledges the role of peer providers in supporting consumers with
advanced planning for crisis supports while maintaining the involvement of the consumer in the
development of the resource
\A consumer tells a Peer Support Specialist that they have a lot of situational stress that is not a
result of their diagnosis. What action would the Peer Support Specialist take in supporting the
consumer? - ANS-Key: Assist the consumer in developing a wellness plan to address their
concerns.
KSA Dimension: 4. Recovery Support
KSA: 4.6. Utilize specific tools and models (e.g., harm reduction, mindfulness) to assist
individuals in creating their own wellness and recovery plans.
Rationale: This is a correct response because it utilizes a specific model to help the consumer
build the right tools to use in the scenario.
\A consumer wants to use their experience with managing their mental illness to help others.
How can the Peer Support Specialist help the consumer to accomplish this goal? - ANS-Key:
Assist the consumer by providing encouragement, direction, and support of their advocacy
desires.
