Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training
Certified Vendor of CalMHSA
Our Peer Support Specialist 80-hour training program, part of our BestNow! program, allows participants to become certified as a Peer Support Specialist in California. Participants will learn to engage with our peer values, including meeting each person where they are, using our personal experiences to support our peers, and encouraging individuals to self-advocate and find their own solutions. Best Now! is a certified training vendor of California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA).
*Acceptance in the training program is not automatic. Applicants will be informed whether or not they are accepted into the training program.
Upcoming Training Sessions
BestNow!
BestNow!
Building Employment Strategies through Networking on Wellness
Discover BestNow! (Building Employment Strategies Through Networking on Wellness), your energetic springboard to a meaningful career in the behavioral health field! As a dynamic program designed to transform lives, BestNow! fuels your leadership potential and strengthens your unique voice. Our program focuses on training Peer Support Specialists (PSS) to provide mental health and addiction support to individuals. We’re not just about professional development but empowerment, unity, and growth. BestNow! is a certified training vendor of CalMHSA.
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training transforms personal mental health and/or substance use recovery experiences into powerful tools for helping others. This immersive program equips participants with the practical skills and empathy needed to support peers on their recovery journeys, preparing them for rewarding careers in the behavioral health field.
Training for Areas of Specialization
These specializations focus on additional training that build on the knowledge, skills, and abilities of Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists. The training hours and core competencies covered vary by specialization.
Peer Services in Crisis Care
Peer Services in Crisis Care can complement clinical services and help individuals in crisis. The inclusion of peer support workers in crisis care helps facilitate a trauma-informed response and recovery oriented and strengths-based approaches. Peer support workers demonstrate that recovery is possible and act as an advocate for the individual. This may help improve outcomes, such as reduced trauma and agitation, increased trust, reduced hospitalizations and emergency department usage for mental and/or substance use disorders, reduced recurrence of symptoms, and decreased recidivism. This training covers core competencies and skills for crisis prevention, active crisis situations, and post-crisis care.
Peer Services for Unhoused
Peer Services for Unhoused can complement clinical services and help individuals who are unhoused or may become unhoused. Individuals and/or families may have unique behavioral health challenges and/or co-conditions. Peer support specialists with experience being unsheltered or unhoused offer a unique perspective in supporting others meet their needs, including behavioral health, housing support, and health conditions.
California Peer Support Specialist Exam Preparation
We encourage anyone preparing for the certification exam to take advantage of these study sessions as a valuable resource in their journey towards becoming a certified Peer Support Specialist. These group study sessions are designed to equip those preparing to take the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification exam with the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed. They’ll offer a comprehensive review of critical topics, an opportunity to practice with sample questions and a forum for discussion and query resolution with experienced professionals.
Need Peer Support? Try Our Peer2Peer Program Service
Peer-to-Peer Counseling is a service provided by trained Peer Support Specialists who have lived experience with mental health and addiction recovery. This service offers individuals a safe and supportive environment to share their struggles and receive non-judgmental guidance and encouragement from someone who has been through similar experiences. Peer Support Specialists provide emotional support, assist with setting goals, and connect individuals with resources in the community.
Key Benefits of Peer2Peer:
- Safe and supportive environment to share struggles/challenges
- Receive non judgmental guidance
- Receive encouragement & empowerment
If you are looking for support in your mental health and addiction recovery journey, Peer2peer counseling may be a valuable resource for you. This service is completely free of charge.
Contact Us
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
8105 Edgewater Dr, Ste #100,
Oakland, CA 94621
Peer Support Specialist Law & Ethics Training
This specialized training has been tailored to meet the unique needs of Peer Support Specialists and offers an in-depth exploration of laws and ethical standards applicable to their critical work. Topics will cover areas such as confidentiality, informed consent, mandated reporting, professional boundaries, cultural competency, and more. These essential skills and knowledge can support specialists in providing compassionate, ethical, and legally sound assistance to those they serve.
Ongoing Professional Development Trainings for Peer Support Specialists
BestNow provides a range of trainings on essential topics relevant to Peer Support Specialists, including Law & Ethics, Documentation, Self-Care, Harm Reduction, and more. The information in our trainings is thoroughly vetted, and they are recognized for their quality and relevance by participants and community partner organizations. As a contracted network provider of Alameda County Behavioral Health, BestNow is an acceptable source for courses that may count as
continuing education credits for maintaining peer certification in California.
Peer-to-Peer Counseling Internship
The Peer-to-Peer Counseling Internship program at BestNow! provides individuals with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in peer support services. Interns will work alongside experienced Peer Support Specialists to provide support to individuals in mental health and addiction recovery.
The program includes trauma-informed care, communication and advocacy skills, and ethical considerations in peer support services. Intern will also have access to ongoing supervision and support to ensure their success in the program. This program is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in pursuing a career in mental health and addiction recovery to gain real-world experience and make a positive impact in their communities.
INTERNSHIPS ARE FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN AN 80-HOUR TRAINING OR IS A BESTNOW! ALUMNI.
