CALMHSA MEDI-CAL PEER SUPPORT EVALUATION QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2025/2026
Self-Determination is... - The primary responsibility of Certified Peer Specialists is to
help individuals achieve their own needs, wants, and goals. (Independent Living
Philosophy). Certified Peer Specialists will be guided by the principle of self-
determination for all.
Know the five stages in the recovery process, what is helpful and not helpful at each
stage, and the role of peer support services at each stage of the recovery process. -
What does "Strengths-Based" mean? - the strength-based approach is a "work practice
theory" that focuses on an individual's self-determination and strength (McCashen,
2005).
This type of approach builds on clients' strengths, seeing them as resourceful and
resilient when they are in adverse conditions (McCashen, 2005). It is also client led and
centered on outcomes, getting people to affect change in themselves.
What does "trauma-informed" mean? - Trauma-informed care acknowledges the need
to understand a patient's life experiences in order to deliver effective care and has the
potential to improve patient engagement, treatment adherence, health outcomes, and
provider and staff wellness
Know the difference between treatment goals and recovery goals. -
Define the concept of a wellness-focused approach to recovery. -
Principles of Empowerment -
internal VS external stigma -
Know the difference between an illness story and a recovery story. -
What is Person-Centered language? - Person-first (or person-centered) language refers
to choosing and using words that recognize and refer to individuals - first and foremost -
as people. This demonstrates respect for each person's basic humanity. It emphasizes
their unique traits, strengths, and worth.
What are active listening skills? - Active listening is the practice of preparing to listen,
observing what verbal and non-verbal messages are being sent, and then providing
appropriate feedback for the sake of showing attentiveness to the message being
presented. This form of listening conveys a mutual understanding between speaker and
listener.
What are empathetic listening skills? -
What are open-ended questions? -
, What is cultural humility? -
Define "peer support" - to support other consumers through shared lived experience.
Define "peer" -
Define "recovery" -
Know the civil and human rights foundations from which the peer support movement
arose, including issues related to prejudice, discrimination, and stigma associated with
behavioral health. -
illness model VS recovery model -
What is HIPAA? -
What is ADA? -
What is Olmstead? -
levels of advocacy -
What skills are needed to self-advocate? -
Stages of Change - 1. Precontemplation
2. Contemplation
3. Preparation
4. Action
5. Maintenance
Stages of recovery -
What is the harm reduction model? - Refers to any program, policy, or intervention that
seeks to reduce or minimize the adverse health and social consequences associated
with substance use without requiring a client to discontinue use.
Sympathy vs. Empathy - sympathy is feeling compassion, sorrow, or pity for the
hardships that another person encounters, while empathy is putting yourself in the
shoes of another.
What is learned helplessness? - a condition in which a person suffers from a sense of
powerlessness, arising from a traumatic event or persistent failure to succeed. It is
thought to be one of the underlying causes of depression.
What are the principles of empowerment? -
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2025/2026
Self-Determination is... - The primary responsibility of Certified Peer Specialists is to
help individuals achieve their own needs, wants, and goals. (Independent Living
Philosophy). Certified Peer Specialists will be guided by the principle of self-
determination for all.
Know the five stages in the recovery process, what is helpful and not helpful at each
stage, and the role of peer support services at each stage of the recovery process. -
What does "Strengths-Based" mean? - the strength-based approach is a "work practice
theory" that focuses on an individual's self-determination and strength (McCashen,
2005).
This type of approach builds on clients' strengths, seeing them as resourceful and
resilient when they are in adverse conditions (McCashen, 2005). It is also client led and
centered on outcomes, getting people to affect change in themselves.
What does "trauma-informed" mean? - Trauma-informed care acknowledges the need
to understand a patient's life experiences in order to deliver effective care and has the
potential to improve patient engagement, treatment adherence, health outcomes, and
provider and staff wellness
Know the difference between treatment goals and recovery goals. -
Define the concept of a wellness-focused approach to recovery. -
Principles of Empowerment -
internal VS external stigma -
Know the difference between an illness story and a recovery story. -
What is Person-Centered language? - Person-first (or person-centered) language refers
to choosing and using words that recognize and refer to individuals - first and foremost -
as people. This demonstrates respect for each person's basic humanity. It emphasizes
their unique traits, strengths, and worth.
What are active listening skills? - Active listening is the practice of preparing to listen,
observing what verbal and non-verbal messages are being sent, and then providing
appropriate feedback for the sake of showing attentiveness to the message being
presented. This form of listening conveys a mutual understanding between speaker and
listener.
What are empathetic listening skills? -
What are open-ended questions? -
, What is cultural humility? -
Define "peer support" - to support other consumers through shared lived experience.
Define "peer" -
Define "recovery" -
Know the civil and human rights foundations from which the peer support movement
arose, including issues related to prejudice, discrimination, and stigma associated with
behavioral health. -
illness model VS recovery model -
What is HIPAA? -
What is ADA? -
What is Olmstead? -
levels of advocacy -
What skills are needed to self-advocate? -
Stages of Change - 1. Precontemplation
2. Contemplation
3. Preparation
4. Action
5. Maintenance
Stages of recovery -
What is the harm reduction model? - Refers to any program, policy, or intervention that
seeks to reduce or minimize the adverse health and social consequences associated
with substance use without requiring a client to discontinue use.
Sympathy vs. Empathy - sympathy is feeling compassion, sorrow, or pity for the
hardships that another person encounters, while empathy is putting yourself in the
shoes of another.
What is learned helplessness? - a condition in which a person suffers from a sense of
powerlessness, arising from a traumatic event or persistent failure to succeed. It is
thought to be one of the underlying causes of depression.
What are the principles of empowerment? -
