Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
Certification
A Peer Support Specialist MAY NOT: - ANS-1. Practice outside of their scope of competence
2. Engage in any services requiring a license
3. Falsify any documentation related to application, training, testing, certification, or service
provided
4. Retaliate against any person who, in good faith, makes a compliant against the peer support
specialist regarding services provided
5. Engage in conduct that is prohibited by state, federal, or local law, including law prohibiting
the use, possession, or distribution of drugs and alcohol
6. Participate in, condone, or promote discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national
origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical disability, or economic status in
the performance of responsibilities as a peer support specialist
7. Violate law, rule, or policy related to a recipient's privacy and confidentiality
8. Have a dual relationship with a recipient of services
\ADVOCACY - ANS-1. Support the formulation, development, enactment, and implementation
of public policies of concern to the profession
2. Demonstrate and promote activities that respect diversity
3. Support and defend human rights and freedoms regardless of nationality, national origin,
gender identity, ethnicity, religion or spiritual persuasion, language, disability, sexual identity, or
socio-economic status. Human rights include civil and political rights, such as the right to life,
liberty, and freedom of expression; social, cultural, and economic rights including the right to
cultural expression, the right to have basic needs met, and the right to work and receive an
education
4. Advocate for inclusion of those supported in all aspects of services
5. Advocate for full involvement of those supported in the communities of their choice and will
promote their value to those communities
6. Understand, encourage, and empower self-advocacy
7. Recognize that all individuals/families have the right to live in the safest and least restrictive,
culturally congruent environment
8. Strive to eliminate stigma and discrimination
\AUTHENTICITY - ANS-1. Practice honest and direct communication in a culturally relevant
manner, saying what is on their mind in a respectful way. Difficult circumstances are addressed
with those who are directly involved. Direct communication moves beyond the fear of conflict or
hurting other people to the ability to work together to resolve challenges with caring and
compassion
2. Share own lived experience to provide hope and inspiration for recovery
3. Practice healthy disclosure about their own experience focused on providing hope and
direction toward recovery and/or resiliency
, 4. Work within their scope of practice as defined by this Code of Ethics and their employing
agency
5. Remain aware of their skills and limitations, and do not provide services or represent
themselves as an expert in areas for which they do not have the sufficient knowledge or
expertise
6. Know that maintaining the authenticity and integrity of their role is critical to the effectiveness
of peer support services
7. Seek supervision, peer support services, and/or other contact with peer colleagues or other
supports to stay within their scope of practice
\CONFIDENTIALITY - ANS-1. Respect the rights, dignity, privacy, and confidentiality of persons
engaging in services at all times
2. Respect the right to privacy of those supported and shall not solicit private information from
those supported unless it is essential. Once private information is shared, standards of
confidentiality apply
3. Respect confidential information shared by colleagues in the course of their professional
relationships and interactions unless such information related to an unethical or illegal activity.
However, confidentiality should be honored when Peers are supporting clients with a substance
use disorder where the illegal activity is limited to personal use of substances
4. Comply with all applicable federal and state confidentiality laws and guidelines. (In
accordance with Part 2, Title 42, Code of Federal Regulations and HIPAA requirements)
5. Discuss with persons engaging in services, and other interested parties, the nature of
confidentiality and limitations of the right to confidentiality
\CULTURAL RESPONSIVENESS - ANS-1. Acknowledge the importance of language and
culture, intersecting identities, knowledge and acceptance of dynamics of cultural differences,
expansion of cultural knowledge, curiosity, and adaptation of services to meet culturally unique
needs
2. Strive to provide culturally responsive and relevant services to those they support
3. Respect cultural identities and preferences of those engaging in services and their families
and respect the right of others to hold opinions, beliefs, and values different from their own
4. Shall not discriminate against others on the basis of gender, religion, national origin, marital
status, political belief, or mental or physical differences
5. Shall not discriminate against others on the basis of any other preference, personal
characteristic, condition, state, or cultural factor protected under Federal, state or local law
6. Seek further information, education, and training in cultural competence as necessary to
assist those they support
\EDUCATION - ANS-1. Remain current regarding new developments in recovery, resiliency and
wellness theories, methods, and approaches of related disciplines/systems with whom those
who are engaging in services interface
2. Accept responsibility for continuing education and professional development as part of their
commitment to provide quality services
3. Become familiar with local resources for self-sufficiency, including benefits and employment
opportunities and supportive resources for families, parents, and caregivers
Certification
A Peer Support Specialist MAY NOT: - ANS-1. Practice outside of their scope of competence
2. Engage in any services requiring a license
3. Falsify any documentation related to application, training, testing, certification, or service
provided
4. Retaliate against any person who, in good faith, makes a compliant against the peer support
specialist regarding services provided
5. Engage in conduct that is prohibited by state, federal, or local law, including law prohibiting
the use, possession, or distribution of drugs and alcohol
6. Participate in, condone, or promote discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national
origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical disability, or economic status in
the performance of responsibilities as a peer support specialist
7. Violate law, rule, or policy related to a recipient's privacy and confidentiality
8. Have a dual relationship with a recipient of services
\ADVOCACY - ANS-1. Support the formulation, development, enactment, and implementation
of public policies of concern to the profession
2. Demonstrate and promote activities that respect diversity
3. Support and defend human rights and freedoms regardless of nationality, national origin,
gender identity, ethnicity, religion or spiritual persuasion, language, disability, sexual identity, or
socio-economic status. Human rights include civil and political rights, such as the right to life,
liberty, and freedom of expression; social, cultural, and economic rights including the right to
cultural expression, the right to have basic needs met, and the right to work and receive an
education
4. Advocate for inclusion of those supported in all aspects of services
5. Advocate for full involvement of those supported in the communities of their choice and will
promote their value to those communities
6. Understand, encourage, and empower self-advocacy
7. Recognize that all individuals/families have the right to live in the safest and least restrictive,
culturally congruent environment
8. Strive to eliminate stigma and discrimination
\AUTHENTICITY - ANS-1. Practice honest and direct communication in a culturally relevant
manner, saying what is on their mind in a respectful way. Difficult circumstances are addressed
with those who are directly involved. Direct communication moves beyond the fear of conflict or
hurting other people to the ability to work together to resolve challenges with caring and
compassion
2. Share own lived experience to provide hope and inspiration for recovery
3. Practice healthy disclosure about their own experience focused on providing hope and
direction toward recovery and/or resiliency
, 4. Work within their scope of practice as defined by this Code of Ethics and their employing
agency
5. Remain aware of their skills and limitations, and do not provide services or represent
themselves as an expert in areas for which they do not have the sufficient knowledge or
expertise
6. Know that maintaining the authenticity and integrity of their role is critical to the effectiveness
of peer support services
7. Seek supervision, peer support services, and/or other contact with peer colleagues or other
supports to stay within their scope of practice
\CONFIDENTIALITY - ANS-1. Respect the rights, dignity, privacy, and confidentiality of persons
engaging in services at all times
2. Respect the right to privacy of those supported and shall not solicit private information from
those supported unless it is essential. Once private information is shared, standards of
confidentiality apply
3. Respect confidential information shared by colleagues in the course of their professional
relationships and interactions unless such information related to an unethical or illegal activity.
However, confidentiality should be honored when Peers are supporting clients with a substance
use disorder where the illegal activity is limited to personal use of substances
4. Comply with all applicable federal and state confidentiality laws and guidelines. (In
accordance with Part 2, Title 42, Code of Federal Regulations and HIPAA requirements)
5. Discuss with persons engaging in services, and other interested parties, the nature of
confidentiality and limitations of the right to confidentiality
\CULTURAL RESPONSIVENESS - ANS-1. Acknowledge the importance of language and
culture, intersecting identities, knowledge and acceptance of dynamics of cultural differences,
expansion of cultural knowledge, curiosity, and adaptation of services to meet culturally unique
needs
2. Strive to provide culturally responsive and relevant services to those they support
3. Respect cultural identities and preferences of those engaging in services and their families
and respect the right of others to hold opinions, beliefs, and values different from their own
4. Shall not discriminate against others on the basis of gender, religion, national origin, marital
status, political belief, or mental or physical differences
5. Shall not discriminate against others on the basis of any other preference, personal
characteristic, condition, state, or cultural factor protected under Federal, state or local law
6. Seek further information, education, and training in cultural competence as necessary to
assist those they support
\EDUCATION - ANS-1. Remain current regarding new developments in recovery, resiliency and
wellness theories, methods, and approaches of related disciplines/systems with whom those
who are engaging in services interface
2. Accept responsibility for continuing education and professional development as part of their
commitment to provide quality services
3. Become familiar with local resources for self-sufficiency, including benefits and employment
opportunities and supportive resources for families, parents, and caregivers
