Official 2025/2026 Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialist Certification Exam
Preparation Guide | 100% Verified and
Accurate Q&A
What is the role of a Peer Support Specialist in the Medi-Cal system?
A Peer Support Specialist provides assistance and guidance to individuals with mental health or
substance use challenges by offering lived experience, support, and advocating for the needs of those
navigating the Medi-Cal system.
How can a Peer Support Specialist contribute to reducing stigma around mental health and substance
use disorders?
A Peer Support Specialist helps break down stigma by sharing their personal recovery journey,
providing hope, and creating a safe space where others feel understood and supported.
What ethical considerations must a Peer Support Specialist be mindful of when working with clients?
Peer Support Specialists must respect confidentiality, maintain professional boundaries, avoid
dual relationships, and ensure they do not offer clinical advice beyond their scope of practice.
In the context of Medi-Cal, what does the concept of "cultural competence" mean for a Peer Support
Specialist?
Cultural competence refers to understanding, respecting, and addressing the cultural differences
and values of clients, ensuring that the services provided are sensitive and appropriate for diverse
populations.
How can a Peer Support Specialist support individuals who are experiencing a crisis while staying within
the Medi-Cal framework?
A Peer Support Specialist can de-escalate the situation by offering empathetic support, focusing
on stabilization, connecting the individual to appropriate resources, and ensuring that they receive the
necessary mental health care through Medi-Cal services.
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,What is the importance of self-care for a Peer Support Specialist, and how can it impact their work with
clients?
Self-care is essential for maintaining mental, emotional, and physical well-being, enabling the
Peer Support Specialist to be effective and present for clients. Without self-care, the risk of burnout and
compassion fatigue increases, impairing the ability to support others.
What are some common barriers Medi-Cal beneficiaries face when accessing mental health services?
Barriers can include lack of transportation, limited understanding of available benefits, language
and cultural differences, stigma, and difficulty navigating the complex Medi-Cal system.
How can a Peer Support Specialist help individuals navigate the complex Medi-Cal benefits and services?
A Peer Support Specialist can assist clients by explaining Medi-Cal benefits, helping with
paperwork, offering guidance on accessing services, and advocating for the individual’s needs within the
system.
What are some key skills a Peer Support Specialist must possess when facilitating group peer support
sessions?
Key skills include active listening, empathy, clear communication, conflict resolution, and
maintaining a nonjudgmental and supportive group environment.
What is the role of trauma-informed care in the work of a Peer Support Specialist?
Trauma-informed care ensures that a Peer Support Specialist recognizes the prevalence of trauma
in clients’ lives, approaches them with sensitivity, and avoids practices that could re-traumatize them.
How can a Peer Support Specialist encourage empowerment in their clients within the Medi-Cal
framework?
By promoting self-advocacy, providing information about resources, and supporting clients in
setting and achieving personal goals, a Peer Support Specialist helps individuals regain control of their
lives and health.
What is the difference between a Peer Support Specialist and a mental health professional within the
Medi-Cal system?
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, A Peer Support Specialist offers lived experience and emotional support, while a mental health
professional provides clinical services, such as therapy or medication management.
How can a Peer Support Specialist promote recovery and wellness within the Medi-Cal population?
By helping individuals set realistic goals, stay motivated, and access community-based resources,
a Peer Support Specialist can help individuals create personalized recovery plans and stay on track.
What is the significance of confidentiality in the relationship between a Peer Support Specialist and a
client?
Confidentiality is crucial because it establishes trust, ensures that clients feel safe sharing
personal and sensitive information, and complies with legal and ethical standards of privacy.
What strategies can a Peer Support Specialist use to build trust with clients who are hesitant to engage in
treatment?
Establishing rapport, being nonjudgmental, sharing personal recovery experiences, and
demonstrating consistency in support can help build trust with hesitant clients.
How does recovery-oriented care influence the work of a Peer Support Specialist within Medi-Cal
services?
Recovery-oriented care focuses on supporting individuals in achieving long-term wellness
through individualized, strengths-based care. A Peer Support Specialist helps foster this approach by
providing encouragement and personalized support.
What does it mean for a Peer Support Specialist to be a "lived experience expert"?
A "lived experience expert" is someone who has personally navigated challenges such as mental
illness or substance use and can use that experience to offer guidance, hope, and support to others in
similar situations.
How can a Peer Support Specialist assist a client in identifying their personal strengths during recovery?
By asking open-ended questions, encouraging self-reflection, and helping clients acknowledge
past successes, a Peer Support Specialist can assist clients in recognizing their own strengths and
resilience.
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