Peer Training and Placement Programs

Career Pathways 3.0, offers free, 80-hour virtual, live, CalMHSA-approved, Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training to peers with lived experience in recovery from mental health and/or substance use and family members/caregivers, who are looking to serve in a peer or a related role and/or are seeking to become state Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists.

This 80-hour virtual, live training fulfills the state’s training requirement for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification. Said differently, NAMI San Diego & Imperial Counties is a CalMHSA-approved training provider.

Our training helps individuals prepare for the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification exam as well as identify a pathway to employment/volunteer positions within the public mental health system. Those who complete the 80-hour training, which includes completion of training sessions, homework assignments and self-study time, will receive a certificate of completion to submit in their certification application through the state.

Our Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training consists of 2 phases:

Phase 1 is the online, 80-hour state training mentioned above. Individuals who complete the course along with required assignments and attendance, receive a certificate of completion of our Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training, which in turn allows them to apply for State Certification and to sit for the Medi-Cal exam. (Duration 2.5 weeks)

Phase 2, the Follow-Up and Job Placement Support phase, helps individuals identify a pathway to employment/volunteer positions within the public mental health system. Our support includes: career counseling, notification of job leads, professional development, networking, or support events to augment training, and job placement assistance. (Duration 6 months)

Upcoming Training Dates

  • Cohort 5E: March 5-21, 2025**, Orientation To Be Announced
  • Cohort 6F: May 7-23, 2025**, Orientation To Be Announced
  • Cohort 7G: June 9-26** [No class 9/16, Juneteenth], Orientation To Be Announced

Space in each cohort is limited!

**Dates subject to change.

Career Pathways 3.0 Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training

Completing the Interest Form for the Career Pathways 3.0 Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training is NOT equal to registration. After your form is received and reviewed, you will receive further information. (Please see training sign-up information below)

Training Interest Form

For further questions, please contact: careerpathways@namisd.org

Training Sign-Up Process

What is the process to join the training?

Step 1: Review training eligibility and requirements to determine if you qualify to be considered for this training.

Step 2: Complete the Career Pathways 3.0 Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training

Step 3: Staff will review your interest form to determine your eligibility and may follow up requesting clarification.

Step 4: Staff will notify you if you are eligible to proceed with the training registration process or direct you to alternate training options.

Step 5: If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will receive an email with a link to submit an Individualized Career Plan (ICP) form.***

Step 6: When you submit the ICP form, you will see a confirmation page which provides you with a link to schedule a 30-minute Career Counseling (See step 7).

Step 7: Schedule and complete the 30-minute Career Counseling session with staff/volunteers to review completed ICP form.***

Step 8: Attend required 2 hour virtual Orientation.***

Step 9: Receive welcome email from staff to confirm your spot in the training.

***Registration for the cohort is NOT finalized until the ICP form, career counseling, and orientation are ALL completed.