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A list of definitions and concepts related to the certification of peer support specialists in California. It includes information about the certifying entity, core competencies, code of ethics, and other relevant topics. The document also includes sample questions and answers for the certification exam, as well as scenarios that illustrate the role of peer support specialists in different situations. Overall, the document aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the requirements and expectations for individuals seeking certification as Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists in California.
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adult - an individual who is 18 years of age or older beneficiary/recipient - correct answer an individual who receives peer services from a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) - correct answer 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 - correct answer an individual who has been certified as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist by CalMHSA certication - correct answer indicated all requirements of a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist have been met certifying entity - correct answer 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 - correct answer 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 - correct answer 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 - correct answer the education a Certificant receives to further develop their professional knowledge around best practices, updated laws, and/or specialized training. core competencies - correct answer minimum knowledge base necessary to perform role or job activities as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in California. county reciprocity - correct answer the recognition of certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists by public county behavioral health plans.
lived experience - correct answer 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 - correct answer California's Medicaid health care program that includes a variety of medical services for children and adults with a qualifying income or medical condition. Medi-Cal peer support specialist - correct answer an individual who is 18 years of age or older, who has self- identified as having lived experience with the process of recovery from mental illness, substance use disorder, or both, either as a consumer of these services or as a parent or family member of the consumer, and who has been granted certification under a county Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification program. Medi-Cal peer support specialist services - correct answer culturally appropriate services that promote engagement, socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, self- advocacy, development of natural supports, and identification of strengths. Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist services include, but are not limited to, prevention services, support, coaching, facilitation, or
education that is individualized and is conducted by a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist. natural supports - correct answer the personal connections to an individual's community that enhances the quality of their life. out-of-state reciprocity - correct answer the recognition that an individual has received certification for peer support from another state and they meet the qualifications specified under the policies in this document. peer - correct answer persons who share similar understanding of experiences with mental health and/or substance use challenges. peer support specialist - correct answer an individual who is 18 years of age or older, who has self-identified as having lived experience with the process of recovery from mental illness, substance use disorder, or both, either as a consumer of these services or as a parent or family member of the consumer, and who has been granted certification under a county peer support specialist certification program (Senate Bill 803, Beall).
provide training for the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification program. trauma focused - correct answer maintaining awareness of the impact traumatic experiences may have on an individual and the influence this trauma may have on the choices they make in their life. valid certificate - correct answer a certificate that is active, in good standing, and is not expired, suspended, revoked or inactive. wellness - correct answer the conscious and deliberate process of creating and adapting patterns of behavior that lead to improved health in the following dimensions: emotional, financial, social, spiritual, educational/occupational, physical, intellectual, and environmental. What is the goal of the harm reduction model for substance use challenges? - correct answer Key: Decreased overdose risk and improved access to systems of care KSA Dimension: 2. Behavioral Health Foundations
KSA: 2.4. Be familiar with recovery approaches and peer support techniques specific to individuals with substance use challenges. Rationale: The key is correct because per the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), research has demonstrated that a harm reduction approach for individuals with substance use challenges substantially reduces the risk of overdose death and promotes linkages to care. A consumer has been spending the last few weeks joking around and not taking group seriously. How would the Peer Support Specialist support the consumer? - correct answer Key: Continue to stay focused on the consumer's recovery goals. KSA Dimension: 3. Interpersonal Skills KSA: 3.5. Practice self-awareness to ensure that the individual's resiliency and recovery remain the focal point of the peer support relationship. Rationale: This is the best option as it refocuses on the consumer's needs and wants. A consumer is frustrated because several difference service providers are not communicating well when it
Rationale: This is a correct response because it utilizes a specific model to help the consumer build the right tools to use in the scenario. A Peer Support Specialist is working with a consumer with severe mental illness who has been in inpatient treatment for several months. Prior to a treatment team meeting, the consumer says to the Peer Support Specialist, "I don't know why I'm even going. They are just going to keep me here anyway." Which action would the Peer Support Specialist take to encourage self-advocacy? - correct answer Key: Model an effective action by sharing a time when the Peer Support Specialist assertively communicated their own needs and desires. KSA Dimension: 5. Advocacy KSA: 5.1. Promote self-advocacy to help individuals establish personal needs, goals, and objectives as their focal points of rehabilitation, resiliency, recovery, and wellness. Rationale: The correct answer differentiates itself from other distractors because it is directly related to competency 2 (the role of advocacy). Here, the peer specialist is modeling self-advocacy through social learning by directly stating how they self-advocated in a
similar situation. This action is addressed on page 10 of the Peer Certification Landscape Analysis Report. A consumer comes to you and says they were not hired at a job because of their disability. What actions should the Peer Support Specialist take? - correct answer Key: Educate the consumer on State Disability Laws before speaking to the business. KSA Dimension: 5. Advocacy KSA: 5. Rationale: This is a correct response because educating the consumer on this issue will empower them to voice their concerns appropriately. A consumer expressed feeling overwhelmed with the requirements of their probation officer and service providers. How can a Peer Support Specialist assist the consumer with navigating the expectations. - correct answer Key: Help the consumer arrange a meeting with both parties to discuss their viewpoint. KSA Dimension: 6. Community Inclusion
What action is a primary duty of a Peer Support Specialist in assisting a consumer in the community? - correct answer Key: Helping a consumer access a local mental health plan. KSA Dimension: 7. Resource Linkage KSA: 7.1. Assist individuals in accessing community services and community resources, including social service benefits (e.g., Medicaid, public assistance, and housing). Rationale: This option is a partial statement of Competency 7.1 regarding resource linkages and is the only correct option. A consumer would like to support a neighborhood rally but has anxiety about attending. They believe their anxiety would not be an issue if they are accompanied by their Peer Support Specialist. What action would the Peer Support Specialist take? - correct answer Key: Participate in the activity as requested by the consumer. KSA Dimension: 7. Resource Linkage KSA: 7.1. Assist individuals in accessing community services and community resources, including social
service benefits (e.g., Medicaid, public assistance, and housing). Rationale: Participates in community activities with peers when requested pg. 5 What are two key components of a person-centered pre- crisis plan? - correct answer Key: A wellness toolbox and list of known potential stressors. KSA Dimension: 8. Crisis Management KSA: 8.2. Help individuals develop an advanced strategy for planning and managing behavioral health crises. Rationale: A pre-crisis plan will always rely on self- observation and include supports that can help the consumer when they are starting to feel unwell. A consumer expresses they want to give the Peer Support Specialist a gift to show their appreciation for the help they have received. How would the Peer Support Specialist respond? - correct answer Key: Thank the consumer for their thoughtfulness before declining the gift. KSA Dimension: 1. Administrative Responsibilities
A consumer with a history of depression tells the Peer Support Specialist they are starting to experience symptoms of an oncoming depressive episode. What action would the Peer Support Specialist take to support the consumer? - correct answer Key: Provide the care team with an update on what steps the consumer has taken since the last team meeting. KSA Dimension: 2. Behavioral Health Foundations KSA: 2.1. Knowledge of mental health conditions and available treatment options across the lifespan. Rationale: This response is correct as it directs the consumer to speak with their healthcare provider. A consumer explains that it is taboo for someone to share their struggles with family members in their culture. How would the Peer Support Specialist support the consumer?
Rationale: This option maintains the established relationship between peer provider and consumer while also providing the consumer with self-directed communication strategies for addressing the situation A consumer tells a Peer Support Specialist that they are struggling to create a plan for managing future behavioral health crises. What action would the Peer Support Specialist take to support the consumer? - correct answer Key: Help the consumer come up with a plan together. KSA Dimension: 8. Crisis Management KSA: 8.2. Help individuals develop an advanced strategy for planning and managing behavioral health crises. Rationale: This option acknowledges the role of peer providers in supporting consumers with advanced planning for crisis supports while maintaining the involvement of the consumer in the development of the resource