Career Pathways 3.0

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)

Click HERE to view the Training Program Enrollment Roadmap

Upcoming Training Dates

Details

Eligibility

Training Topics

Accommodations Policy

Cohort 6F: May 7-23, 2025. Virtual Orientation, April 30^th from 8-10 am
Cohort 7G: July 1-18, 2025** [No class 7/4 Independence Day] from 8:00 am-12:00 pm. Virtual Orientation on June 25^th from 8-10 am
Cohort 8H: September 3-19, 2025** from 8:00 am-12:00 pm. Virtual Orientation on August 27^th from 8-10 am
Cohort 9I: November 3-20, 2025** [No class 11/11 Veterans Day] from 8:00 am- 12:00 pm. Virtual orientation on October 27^th from 8-10 am

Space is limited in each cohort!

Attendance at the entire 2-hour Virtual Orientation is mandatory for anyone wishing to finalize their enrollment for a cohort.

** Dates are subject to change.

13 sessions – live attendance required.
Cost: FREE
Location: Online (through Zoom)
Days: 2.5 weeks, Mondays-Fridays*
Time: 8am-12pm (including breaks)* – participants are required to factor in an additional 28 hours outside of sessions for homework and training support.
Required Virtual Orientation: Offered once before each cohort, 8am – 10am
Of note: individuals should also plan for self-study time and homework.
Follow-up support, career counseling, and career placement assistance.

*Days/times subject to change

Live in recovery for a mental health and/or substance use condition; or as the parent, caregiver, or family member – support a loved one living with either of these conditions.
Be 18 years of age or older.
Reside in San Diego or Imperial County.
Be willing to share your experience.
Have a strong dedication to recovery.
Have access and ability to utilize computer, laptop, and internet connection with which you can see, hear, and speak.
Actively participate in the entire 80 hour live online training.
Be interested in seeking/maintaining placement (either paid employment or volunteer) as a Peer Support Specialist (PSS) or related role.
Be willing to commit to staying in communication with trainers for 6 months of follow-up support.
Agree to adhere to the Code of Ethics. A copy of the ethics can be located HERE https://www.capeercertification.org/code-of-ethics/

If you do not meet the eligibility and requirement to participate in NAMI San Diego & Imperial Counties’ Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training, we invite you to explore CalMHSA approved training options here: https://www.capeercertification.org/training-for-medi-cal-peer-support-specialist/

Training Sign-Up Process

State Certification

Trainers and Staff

What is the process to join the training program?

The program has a 3-step enrollment process outlined below. Please note, submitting a waitlist form and application does not guarantee being in a particular cohort as enrollment depends on completion of all appropriate steps as well as availability, readiness, and program capacity.

Step 1: Waitlist

Checklist to Join the Waitlist

A. Review training program details on this webpage to see if you can meet training expectations, commitment, eligibility, and requirements

B. Complete one Waitlist Form

C. Wait up to 5 business days for a response from staff (be sure to check your spam/junk email folder)

Step 2: Application

Checklist to Apply

A. Wait for email notification from staff when application window opens (application windows generally open about a month before orientation)

B. Complete one Training Application (after submitting the application, an automated message will appear with instructions to schedule your Readiness Interview)

C. Schedule a Readiness Interview (staff will notify you which cohort the interview is for)

D. Complete Readiness Interview

E. Receive invitation to virtual orientation for the cohort your application will be accepted into

F. At the end of the interview assess and confirm with staff shared readiness/commitment

Step 3: Enrollment

Checklist to Finalize Enrollment

A. Complete Waitlist and Application checklists in steps 1 and 2

B. Attend the required 2-hour orientation for your cohort in its entirety

C. Receive a welcome email from staff finalizing your enrollment for the cohort

Our training is the first step of CalMHSA’s three step process to become certified as a Peer Support Specialist in California. The second step is to apply to become a Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist and submit our certificate of completion to CalMHSA. The final step is to complete and pass the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist State exam.

The CalMHSA Certification website (capeercertification.org) is the best place to find more information about the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification process, requirements, qualifications, and application info. That website is also where you will start your certification application if you have not started already.

Application Instructions for the Initial Certification Process can be found here.

Certification Requirements can be found here.

Shannon Jakubowski, Lead Trainer
Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist

Shannon is our Lead Trainer and is a Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist. She has been developing and facilitating Peer/Family Support Specialist trainings with NAMI San Diego & Imperial Counties since 2021. Furthermore, she has worked in the field as a Peer Support Specialist and Lead Peer Support Specialist, where she successfully supported and provided resources to individuals who had a recent hospitalization at San Diego County’s Psychiatric Hospital or visit to their Emergency Psychiatric Unit. Due to this experience, Shannon has a deep understanding of the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as a peer support specialist.

Bibiana Fernandez, Trainer
Peer Support Specialist

Bibianna is our Trainer and has been a Peer Support Specialist for fifteen years. She has lived experience with Mental Health challenges. She has co-facilitated support groups with NAMI San Diego and Imperial Counties for family members who have a loved one living with mental health and substance use conditions. She has broad experience in Motivational/Public Speaking since 2012. She has served as a crisis counselor in sexual assault and mental health crises. Bibiana is also a Domestic Violence counselor and group facilitator. She has cultivated relationships with community groups and organizations and acted as a liaison with community agencies and County agencies in Imperial Valley.

Jim Hurtado, Support Trainer
Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist

Jim is our Support Trainer and is a Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist. He grew up under the sunshine of Southern California and has had the opportunity of traveling and teaching abroad. Traveling has been one of his most significant opportunities in learning empathy in life. He has lived experience with Mental Health challenges. He has been able to successfully build a career by utilizing his lived experience to support others in his/her recovery. Jim’s previous work was working with people on their recovery journey, which has evolved into what we now refer to as a Peer Support Specialist.

Brianna Castro, Support Trainer
Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist

Brianna is our Support Trainer and is a Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist. She has provided Peer/Family Support Specialist training with NAMI San Diego & Imperial Counties since January 2021. Also, she is a Certified NAMI Connection Facilitator who co-facilitates the Connection Support Groups for Peers living with mental health and substance use conditions, providing support, relatability, validation, and hope to those who participate. Because of these experiences, Brianna understands what it takes, and the skills needed to become a Peer Support Specialist.

Anna Maker, Employment Specialist
Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist

Anna is our Employment Specialist and supports graduates of the program in the pursuit of their individual career goals. She is a Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist with a background in mental health and community support services, having worked at the San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital, where she provided peer support to individuals navigating mental health challenges. She has also worked as a peer support specialist on an Institutional Case Management team, supporting seniors with complex needs. Prior to working in peer support, Anna supported creativity, wellbeing and connection as an art teacher for youth and seniors. Anna is passionate about the field of peer support, empowering individuals to pursue their peer support career goals, and connecting through empathy, advocacy, and meaningful engagement.

Ingrid Alvarez-Ron, CNP, Program Manager
Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist

Ingrid possesses a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and has dedicated eight years of service to NAMI SD/IC. She currently holds the position of Program Manager for the Peer Training and Placement Program. As a Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist, Ingrid has also attained a CNP certification. Her credentials further include certifications as a NAMI Family-to-Family Teacher, Support Group Facilitator, Mental Health 101 Presenter, and Youth Mental Health First Aid and Adult Certification.

Helpline: (619) 543-1434 – M-F, 9 am-5pm

Warmline: (619) 295-1055 – 7 days/week, 3:30pm-11pm (except major holidays)

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

Upcoming Training Dates

Details

Eligibility

Training Topics