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Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist (MPSS) Training

NAMI CA is an approved vendor by CALMHSA to provide the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training.

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Registration Info
Who is Eligible?
How to Register
HCAI Peer Training and Placement Program
HCAI Youth Peer Training and Placement Program

Registration is open!

Training Information
  • Training Method: Online only, using Zoom
  • Training Modality: Cohort style (60 individuals)
  • Training Length: 13 days or 2.5 weeks
  • Training Hours: 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
  • Training Days: Monday – Friday

Cohort Dates:

2026

  • Cohort 1 (Registration Closed): January 12, 2026 – January 29, 2026 [No class January 19, Martin Luther King Jr. Day]
  • Cohort 2: February 9, 2026 – February 26, 2026 [No class February 16, President’s Day]
  • Cohort 3: March 9, 2026 – March 25, 2026
  • Cohort 4: April 8, 2026 – April 24, 2026
  • Cohort 5: May 4, 2026 – May 20, 2026
  • Cohort 6: June 3, 2026 – June 22, 2026 [No class June 19, Juneteenth]
  • Cohort 7: July 8, 2026 – July 24, 2026
  • Cohort 8: August 5, 2026 – August 21, 2026
  • Cohort 9: August 31, 2026 – September 17, 2026 [No class September 7, Labor Day]
  • Cohort 10: October 14, 2026 – October 30, 2026
  • Cohort 11: November 4, 2026 –November 23, 2026 [No class November 11, Veterans Day]

Please read below for more information about the training, training programs, and requirements. For any inquiries, please email communityengagement@namica.org.

About the Training

The NAMI CA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training Webinar, approved by CALMHSA, is devoted to providing individuals peer to peer education and support to those who self-identify as having experience with the process of recovery from a mental illness or substance use disorder, either as a consumer of these services or as the parent, caregiver, or family member of a consumer with a mental health condition. This serves as a pathway to employment/volunteer positions within the public mental health system, after subsequently taking and passing the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist exam.

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 the recovery model, communication skills, trauma-Informed care, cultural competency, Medi-cal code of ethics and more. Those who complete the 80-hour training will receive a certificate of completion that will be submitted in their application to sit for the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Exam.

Download the training flyer here.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness California (NAMI CA) is a grassroots organization dedicated to advocating for diverse members in California affected by mental illness. NAMI California has 56 local affiliates and represents nearly 20,000 people in California Legislature on mental illness issues. Driven to advocate for lives of quality, without discrimination and stigma; NAMI CA provides leadership in legislation, policy development, community engagement, and education throughout California. Enhancing a mission to educate families, professionals, and the public about scientific evidence signifying those serious mental illnesses are neurobiological brain disorders; NAMI CA aims to provide a strong, coherent system that offers continuum of care with best practices for the persistent needs of all peers. The organization has grown by responding with passion, urgency, and creativity to local needs; assembling a strong governance board of directors and diverse staff; and earning and retaining the trust of individuals and diverse communities. 

Who is Eligible?

Requirements for training:
  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Possess a high school diploma or equivalent degree.
  • Be self-identified as having experience with the process of recovery from a mental illness or substance use disorder, either as a consumer of these services or as the parent, caregiver or family member of a consumer.
  • Be willing to share their experience.
  • Have a strong dedication to recovery.
  • Agree, in writing, to adhere to the Code of Ethics.
  • Successfully complete the training requirements for the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification
  • Have access and ability to utilize computer, laptop, and internet connection.
  • Must be able to commit and actively participate in the entire 80 hour live online training sessions.

How to Register for the Training?

  1. Review HCAI Programs
    • Learn about our two HCAI training programs below, which offer free MPSS Certification training and other supportive services.
    • The main difference is that one program has a specific age requirement.
    • Decide which program best fits before moving forward.
  2. Identify your County’s Program Affiliate
    • Check which NAMI affiliate is designated to oversee your county for the training program.
  3. Contact NAMI Affiliate
    • Reach out by phone or email to express your interest in the training.
    • The affiliate will guide you through the application and registration process.

HCAI Peer Training and Placement Program, (Health Care Access and Information)

Through the HCAI Peer Training and Placement Program, you can take the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training with NAMI California. Once you have completed training and received your certificate of completion, you will be provided with career counseling and job placement support, either as a volunteer or as an employee with a paid position, within your local Public Mental Health System. NAMI California is working in partnership with 5 local affiliates to provide these services.

See below for the NAMI affiliate overseeing your county for this program, and their contact information.

Central & Superior Regions:
NAMI San Joaquin 
Central: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Inyo, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter-Yuba (Joint Powers), Tulare, Tuolumne, and Yolo

Superior: Nevada, Sierra, Plumas, Lassen, Modoc, Butte, Tehama, Shasta

Bay Area & Superior Regions:
NAMI Contra Costa 
Central: Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, and City of Berkeley

Superior: Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Siskiyou, and Trinity

Southern Region:
NAMI Mt. San Jacinto
Kern, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura, and Tri-City (Pomona, Claremont, La Verne)

Southern Region:
NAMI Greater Los Angeles
County of Los Angeles

Bay Area Region:
MHACC
Alameda, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara

Affiliate Contact Information:

NAMI Contra Costa
Official Contact: Philip H Arnold Jr

NAMI Mt. San Jacinto
Official Contact: Brenda Scott

NAMI San Joaquin
Official Contact: Karen Nichols

NAMI Greater Los Angeles
Official Contact: Yvonne Miranda

MHACC
Official Contact: Carole Wang

HCAI Youth Peer Training and Placement Program, (Health Care Access and Information)

This program is exclusively for youth (16-25 years old) with a mental health condition and for family members/caregivers of youth with a mental health condition, who wish to take NAMI California’s Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training. After completing the training and receiving a certificate of completion, a partnered NAMI affiliate will provide career counseling and job placement support, either as a volunteer or as an employee with a paid position, within the Public Mental Health System. NAMI California is working in partnership with 5 local affiliates to provide these services.

See below for the NAMI affiliate overseeing your county for this program, and their contact information.

Southern Region:
NAMI Kern
Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura

Southern Region:
NAMI San Bernardino
San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and Tri-City (Pomona, Claremont, La Verne)

Southern Region:
NAMI Greater Los Angeles County
County of Los Angeles

Bay Area Region:
MHACC
Alameda, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and City of Berkeley

Bay Area Region:
NAMI San Francisco
San Francisco, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Benito, San Mateo, Solano, and Sonoma

Central and Superior Regions:
NAMI San Joaquin
Central: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Inyo, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter-Yuba (Joint Powers), Tulare, Tuolumne, and Yolo

Superior: Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity

Affiliate Contact Information:

NAMI Kern
Official Contact: Sharon Woolfolk

NAMI Greater Los Angeles County
Official Contact: Yvonne Miranda

NAMI San Joaquin
Official Contact: Karen Nichols

NAMI San Bernardino
Official Contact: Coming soon!

  • Email: Coming soon
  • Phone: Coming soon

NAMI San Francisco
Official Contact: Coming soon!

  • Email: Coming soon
  • Phone: Coming soon

MHACC
Official Contact: Carole Wang

NAMI CA Office Closure

NAMI California will be closed
December 22–January 2.
We will return on January 5.

NAMI HelpLine is available M-F 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET.
Connect by phone 800-950-6264 or text “Helpline” to 62640, or chat.

In a crisis, call or text 988.

Thank you for your understanding.