Peer Personnel Training and Placement Program (CA) Grant

Funder: California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI)

The Peer Personnel Training and Placement Program in California aims to enhance mental health services by training individuals with lived experience to fill peer support roles. This initiative, funded by approximately $2 million, seeks to address workforce shortages in mental health care by collaborating with various organizations to facilitate the 80-hour training required for certification. By investing in peer personnel, the program promotes community-based mental health support and contributes to the overall goals of California's Mental Health Services Act.

Background and Mission
In November 2004, California voters approved Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). Sections 2 and 3 of the MHSA provide increased funding, personnel, and other resources to support public mental health programs and monitor progress toward statewide goals for children, transition age youth, adults, older adults, and families.
The California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) administers the Peer Personnel Training and Placement Program, a component of the MHSA. State budget appropriations fund the Peer program, which promotes the expansion of postsecondary education and training to meet mental health occupational shortage needs.
This grant opportunity will result in agreement(s) with public, private, and nonprofit organizations, including faith based and community-based organizations (CBOs), for training and support that facilitates the training and placement of peer personnel. Peer personnel are defined as individuals with lived experience as a mental/behavioral health services consumer, family member, and/or caregiver placed in designated peer positions. The applicant must provide training to peer personnel that meets the 80-hour training requirements under the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program.
Funding
Approximately $2,000,000 in state funding is available to support Peer Personnel Training and Placement programs.