L.A. CADA Academy: Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training Program

What is a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist?
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists are individuals who have successfully navigated their own recovery process and possess firsthand knowledge of the healing journey. This unique perspective allows them to provide invaluable support to others dealing with addiction, mental health conditions, medical conditions, and disabilities, complementing the services provided by the treatment team. They play a vital role in supporting individuals who are going through similar experiences that they have personally encountered.

The Role of a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
Recovery is a multifaceted process that often requires diverse forms of support. Alongside clinical treatment, medication, peer support, and social support, Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists contribute to this process and offer additional services. These services not only enhance an individual's quality of life during recovery but also help minimize the need for specific healthcare services. Research has indicated that this type of support can reduce emergency room visits and hospital stays among individuals in recovery.

Seventeen Core Competencies for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists
To become a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist, individuals must complete an eighty-hour core competency training and pass the Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification Exam. This training, provided by organizations like the Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse (LA CADA) Academy, covers seventeen essential core competencies. These competencies ensure all Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists are equipped with the necessary skills to effectively support others. The core competencies include:

1. Professional boundaries and ethics.
2. Cultural and structural competence training.
3. Confidentiality.
4. Conflict resolution.
5. Role of consumers and family members.
6. The role of advocacy.
7. Documentation skills and standards.
8. Safety and crisis planning.
9. Co-occurring disorders of mental health and substance abuse.
10. Trauma-informed care.
11. Psychiatric rehabilitation skills and service delivery, and addiction recovery principles.
12. Self-awareness and self-care.
13. Navigation and referral services.
14. The concepts of hope, recovery, and wellness.
15. Digital literacy.
16. Employment readiness preparation.
17. Group facilitation skills.

LA CADA Academy: Providing Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training
The LA CADA Academy, an approved training entity by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), offers an eighty-hour Core Competency Training for Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification. This training program is conducted virtually through the Moodle learning software, allowing easy access to all training materials. Our virtual training program is five weeks long, three days a week during the evening hours from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.

L.A. CADA Academy Training Schedule 2025
Our virtual training program is five weeks long, three days a week during the evening hours from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.

Training Length: Five Weeks Training Program

Estimated Start Date	Estimated Finish Date	Training Schedule	Training Start Time	Training Duration
Tuesday, January 14th	Wednesday, February 12th	Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday	6pm to 9pm	16 hours per module
Tuesday, March 11th	Wednesday, April 9th	Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday	6pm to 9pm	16 hours per module
Tuesday, May 6th	Wednesday, June 4th	Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday	6pm to 9pm	16 hours per module
Tuesday, July 1st	Wednesday, July 30th	Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday	6pm to 9pm	16 hours per module
Tuesday, August 26th	Wednesday, September 24th	Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday	6pm to 9pm	16 hours per module
Tuesday, October 21st	Wednesday, November 19th	Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday	6pm to 9pm	16 hours per module

What is the Cost of Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training Program
The training course is valued at $1,600. (Does not include CalMHSA application and Certification Exam Fee)

Why Should I Participate in your Training Program?
L.A. CADA Academy Offers live instruction from Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists who deliver highly interactive training sessions in a safe learning environment. Our facilitators encourage participation and demonstration of each of the 17 core competencies. We provide test prep to ensure all participants pass their certification exam successfully.

Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Requirements
To be eligible for certification, an individual must meet the following requirements:

1. Be at least 18 years of age.
2. Possess a high school diploma or equivalent degree.
3. Self-identify as having experience with the recovery process from mental illness or substance use disorder, either as a consumer of these services or as a consumer's parent, caregiver, or family member.
4. Be willing to share their experience.
5. Have a strong dedication to recovery.
6. Agree, in writing, to adhere to the Code of Ethics.
7. Successfully complete the 80-hour training requirements for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist.
8. Pass the certification examination from the certifying entity, CalMHSA.

How to Register for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training
If you meet the requirements and are interested in becoming a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist, you can visit the LA CADA website at L.A. CADA (lacada.com) There, you can complete an application form. Once your application is submitted, the Academy will contact you to finalize your training registration.

The Medi-Cal Peer Support Certification Exam
All students who complete the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training Program receive a certificate of completion. All students will need to apply online and register at https://www.capeercertification.org/ to take the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Exam offered only by CalMHSA.

Becoming a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist is a rewarding path that allows individuals to use their personal experiences to make a positive impact on others' lives. By providing empathetic support, these specialists contribute significantly to the recovery process and foster hope and wellness within their communities.

Questions? Get the answers to your questions.

Hours Of Operations: Monday through Friday 10:00am to 4:00pm (except holidays)
Peer Support Specialist Administrators: Greeig Rosales and John Gray
Greeig Rosales: grosales@lacada.com
John Gray: jgray@lacada.com
Phone Number: (562) 777-7500 ext. 281