Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training
Empowering peers and employers to build meaningful, lasting careers
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training is an 80-hour live virtual program designed for individuals in recovery (including family members and caregivers) with lived experience in behavioral health. The training builds professional skills across 17 state-approved competencies to prepare participants for peer support roles in California. Participants earn a certificate of completion by attending sessions and completing required homework and self-study time. The training, followed by six months of support, helps individuals prepare for the certification exam and explore pathways to employment in the public behavioral health system of care.
NAMI San Diego & Imperial Counties is a CalMHSA-approved training provider. Certificates of completion meet the state's training requirement for individuals to apply to become a Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists.
In partnership with:
Be sure to visit our website again next year if you would like to join the training waitlist - our waitlist will be open again at the end of January 2026.
Training Benefits
- Build professional networks & social connections
- Gain essential peer support tools & skills (i.e. recovery language, trauma-informed care, cultural humility)
- Receive career counseling & guidance for resumes/job readiness/certification
- Access professional development & continuing education (CE)
- Earn milestone-based stipends upon completion of Phase 2
- Explore employer partnerships to strengthen the Peer Workforce
- Enhance employer outcomes & cost-effectiveness
- Increase employee retention support
Training Sign-Up Process
Click HERE to view the Training Program Onboarding Roadmap - an in-depth overview of the sign-up process including steps for the Waitlist, Application, and Enrollment.
Eligibility
- Identify as an individual with “lived experience” (someone who has received services for a mental health, substance use, or behavioral health condition, or as a family member/caregiver who has assisted someone with these services)
- Have a strong dedication to recovery and helping others with similar lived experiences
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be a San Diego County Resident
- 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 (note: phones are not permitted devices for orientation and classes)
- Actively participate in the entire 80 hour live online training
- Have a goal for employment (or already have employment) with one of the employers on the Eligible Employers List. Full list can be located HERE
- Commitment to staying in communication with staff for 6 months of follow-up support
- Agree to adhere to the Code of Ethics. A copy of the code can be located HERE
If you do not meet the eligibility and requirements to participate in NAMI San Diego & Imperial Counties’ Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training, we invite you to explore CalMHSA approved training options through their Approved Training Provider website: https://www.capeercertification.org/training-for-medi-cal-peer-support-specialist/
Upcoming Training Dates
Cohort 1: Virtual Orientation, November 24th from 8-10 am. Training, December 1-17, 2025 from 8 am-12 pm.
NEW Dates! Cohort 2: Virtual Orientation, March 25th from 8-10 am. Training, April 1-17, 2026 from 8 am-12 pm.
NEW Dates! Cohort 3: Virtual Orientation, May 27th from 8-10 am. Training, June 1-17, 2026 from 8 am-12 pm.
**Dates are subject to change.
Space is limited in each cohort - spots fill up quickly and depend on timely completion of each part of the Training Sign-Up Process!
Details
- Training Schedule:
- Phase 1: 13 classes – live attendance required.
- Phase 2: 6 months of follow-up communication, career counseling, and career placement support.
- Cost: Grant-funded with no cost to participants (covers training & one certification application/exam)
- Location: Online (through Zoom)
- Days: 2.5 weeks, Mondays-Fridays*
- Time: 8am-12pm* (including breaks) – participants are required to commit to an additional 28 hours outside of sessions for self-study, homework, and training support.
- Required Virtual Orientation: Offered once before each cohort, 8 – 10am*
*Days/times subject to change
Training Topics
Participants learn behavioral health skills covering the 17 Peer Specialist core competencies as identified by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).
Topics covered include:
- Recovery Model
- Communication Skills
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Cultural Competency
- Medi-Cal Code of Ethics and more!
To view the full list of 17 core competencies, please visit: https://www.capeercertification.org/medi-cal-peer-support-specialist-core-competencies/
State Certification
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.
Trainers and Staff
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.
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.
Waitlist Will Reopen
End of January 2026
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training Waitlist Form
Now that you have reviewed our program eligibility and details, please ask yourself: "Does this program align with my goals and schedule?" If your answer is yes, please join our waitlist by clicking the "Training Waitlist Form" black button below and completing your form.
Important: Joining the waitlist does not guarantee placement on the waitlist for a specific cohort or enrollment in the training. Placement on the waitlist and enrollment depend on availability, your readiness, your commitment level and program capacity.
For further questions, please contact: careerpathways@namisd.org