Verified Solution 2024/2025
adult - - an individual who is 18 years of age or older
beneficiary/recipient - - an individual who receives peer services from a Medi-Cal Peer Support
Specialist
California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) - - 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
certificant - - an individual who has been certified as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist by
CalMHSA
certication - - indicated all requirements of a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist have been met
certifying entity - - 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.
Code of Ethics - - 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.
consumer - - a person who is receiving mental health and/or substance use disorder (behavioral
health services) in a public county behavioral health delivery system.
, continued education - - the education a Certificant receives to further develop their professional
knowledge around best practices, updated laws, and/or specialized training.
core competencies - - minimum knowledge base necessary to perform role or job activities as a
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California.
county reciprocity - - the recognition of certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists by public
county behavioral health plans.
culturally appropriate services - - 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.
dual relationship - - 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.
grandparenting process - - 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.
initial certification - - 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.
lived experience - - 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.
Medi-Cal - - California's Medicaid health care program that includes a variety of medical services
for children and adults with a qualifying income or medical condition.