CalMHSA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Vocabulary and Core Competencies

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms, definitions, regulatory standards, and 17 core competencies for the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification.

an individual who is 18 years of age or older

adult

an individual who receives peer services from a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist

beneficiary/recipient

the certifying entity approved by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to certify peer support specialists, peer support specialist training entities, and peer support specialist continuing education providers

California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA)

an individual who has been certified as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist by CalMHSA

certificant

indicated all requirements of a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist have been met

certication

indicates CalMHSA, the organization selected by California Counties, with a plan approved by the Department of Health Care Services, to certify Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists and approve training providers.

certifying entity

a set of guidelines a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California adheres to around their roles and responsibilities and levels of responsibility in which they function professionally.

Code of Ethics

a person who is receiving mental health and/or substance use disorder (behavioral health services) in a public county behavioral health delivery system.

consumer

the education a Certificant receives to further develop their professional knowledge around best practices, updated laws, and/or specialized training.

continued education

minimum knowledge base necessary to perform role or job activities as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.

core competencies

the recognition of certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists by public county behavioral health plans.

county reciprocity

a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist is promoting engagement in a manner that best aligns with the cultural beliefs and practices of the person they serve.

culturally appropriate services

a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist's non-therapeutic relationship with a recipient of care. It includes any activity identified as not allowed within the Code of Ethics.

dual relationship

the process by which an individual who is employed as a peer on January 1, 2022, or prior to that date, are eligible to seek certification as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist so long as they meet the eligibility criteria and successfully pass the state-approved exam.

grandparenting process

the process for an applicant to become certified as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist for the first time so long as they meet the eligibility criteria and successfully pass the state-approved exam.

initial certification

an individual's first-hand experience with a mental health and/or substance use challenges, including the process of recovery and engagement of resiliency within that experience.

lived experience

California's Medicaid health care program that includes a variety of medical services for children and adults with a qualifying income or medical condition.

Medi-Cal

an individual who is 18 years of age or older, who has self-identified as having lived experience with the process of recovery from mental illness, substance use disorder, or both, either as a consumer of these services or as a parent or family member of the consumer, and who has been granted certification under a county Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification program.

Medi-Cal peer support specialist

culturally appropriate services that promote engagement, socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, development of natural supports, and identification of strengths. Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist services include, but are not limited to, prevention services, support, coaching, facilitation, or education that is individualized and is conducted by a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist.

Medi-Cal peer support specialist services

the personal connections to an individual's community that enhances the quality of their life.

natural supports

the recognition that an individual has received certification for peer support from another state and they meet the qualifications specified under the policies in this document.

out-of-state reciprocity

persons who share similar understanding of experiences with mental health and/or substance use challenges.

peer

an individual who is 18 years of age or older, who has self-identified as having lived experience with the process of recovery from mental illness, substance use disorder, or both, either as a consumer of these services or as a parent or family member of the consumer, and who has been granted certification under a county peer support specialist certification program (Senate Bill 803, Beall).

peer support specialist

a non-English language identified by the California Department of Health Care Services as a threshold language under the state's Medi-Cal programs.

prevalent languages

meeting the requirements set forth in this policy for renewal of one's Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification. The recertification occurs in two-year intervals.

recertification

a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. This process of change recognizes cultural diversity and inclusion and honors the different routes to resilience and recovery based on the individual and their cultural community.

recovery

an individual's capacity to successfully meet life's challenges, nurtured to have a sense of self-determination, mastery and hope.

resiliency

an organization that has received approval from the Certifying Entity to provide training for the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification program.

training entity

maintaining awareness of the impact traumatic experiences may have on an individual and the influence this trauma may have on the choices they make in their life.

trauma focused

a certificate that is active, in good standing, and is not expired, suspended, revoked or inactive.

valid certificate

the conscious and deliberate process of creating and adapting patterns of behavior that lead to improved health in the following dimensions: emotional, financial, social, spiritual, educational/occupational, physical, intellectual, and environmental.

wellness

A core competency required for a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.

The concepts of hope, recovery, and wellness

A core competency required for a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.

The role of advocacy

A core competency required for a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.

The role of consumers and family members

A core competency required for a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.

Psychiatric rehabilitation skills and service delivery, and addiction recovery principles, including defined practices

A core competency required for a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.

Cultural and structural competence trainings

A core competency required for a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.

Trauma-informed care

A core competency required for a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.

Group facilitation skills

A core competency required for a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.

Self-awareness and self-care

A core competency required for a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.

Co-occurring disorders of mental health and substance use

A core competency required for a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.

Conflict resolution

A core competency required for a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.

Professional boundaries and ethics

A core competency required for a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.

Preparation for employment opportunities

A core competency required for a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.

Safety and crisis planning

A core competency required for a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.

Navigation of, and referral to, other services

A core competency required for a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.

Documentation skills and standards

A core competency required for a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.

Confidentiality

A core competency required for a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.

Digital literacy