Medi-Cal Peer Support Services
DHCS launched the Medi-Cal Peer Support Services benefit in July 2022, in compliance with Senate Bill (SB) 803 (Beall, Chapter 150, Statutes of 2020) which required DHCS to seek federal approval to establish Medi-Cal Peer Specialists as a provider type and to provide distinct Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist services under the SMHS and DMC-ODS programs. Following federal approval, DHCS added Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists (Peers) as a unique provider type within specific reimbursable services. Counties can voluntarily opt-in to provide this valuable resource in one or both delivery systems (SMHS, and DMC or DMC-ODS). As of January 2023, 50 counties include Medi-Cal Peer Support Services as a benefit in one or both of their delivery systems.
The County Behavioral Health Directors' Association (CBHDA) identified the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) to operate a State approved Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program, to support consistency statewide. As the certifying body, CalMHSA is responsible not only for certification but also for examination and enforcement of professional standards for Certified Peers. For details on training, certification, examination, applying and more, visit the CA Peer Certification website. For more information on CalMHSA's role visit California Mental Health Services Authority | Peer Certification (calmhsa.org).
Resources
Peer Support Services Frequently Asked Questions
Behavioral Health Information Notices (BHINs)
Other Resources
Resources for Peers
Contact Us
Questions and comments may be submitted by email to Peers@dhcs.ca.gov.
For general inquiries regarding existing peer support services, trainings, or other resources please contact your local county mental health plan.
For questions regarding Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification, please contact CalMHSA at PeerCertification@CalMHSA.org.
Counties Participating in Peer Support Services
| County | Delivery System
|
1
| Alameda | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
| 2 | Amador | SMHS Only |
| 3 | Butte | DMC State Plan & SMHS
|
4
| Calaveras
| SMHS Only
|
5
| Colusa | SMHS Only |
6
| Contra Costa | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
7
| Del Norte | DMC State Plan & SMHS
|
8
| El Dorado
| DMC-ODS & SMHS
|
9
| Fresno | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
10
| Glenn | SMHS Only |
11
| Humboldt | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
12
| Inyo | DMC State Plan & SMHS |
13
| Kern | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
14
| Kings | DMC State Plan & SMHS |
15
| Lake | DMC State Plan & SMHS |
16
| Lassen | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
17
| Los Angeles | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
18
| Madera | SMHS Only |
19
| Marin | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
20
| Mariposa | DMC State Plan Only |
21
| Mendocino | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
22
| Merced | DMC State Plan & SMHS |
23
| Modoc | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
24
| Mono | SMHS Only |
25
| Monterey | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
26
| Nevada | SMHS Only |
27
| Orange | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
28
| Placer | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
29
| Riverside | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
30
| Sacramento | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
31
| San Bernardino | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
32
| San Diego | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
33
| San Francisco | SMHS Only |
34
| San Joaquin | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
35
| San Luis Obispo | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
36
| San Mateo | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
37
| Santa Barbara | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
38
| Santa Clara | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
39
| Santa Cruz | DMC- ODS & SMHS |
40
| Shasta | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
41
| Sierra | DMC State Plan & SMHS |
42
| Siskiyou | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
43
| Solano | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
44
| Sonoma | DMC State Plan & SMHS |
45
| Stanislaus | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
46
| Sutter/Yuba | DMC State Plan & SMHS |
47
| Trinity | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
48
| Tulare | DMC-ODS & SMHS |
49
| Ventura
| DMC-ODS & SMHS
|
Archive: Pre-Implementation Materials
Implementing Peer Support Services in DMC-ODS, DMC, and SMHS.
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Listening Session #1
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Listening Session #2
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Listening Session #3
