Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training

The Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills required to become effective peer support specialists. The program consists of 17 core competencies essential for providing peer support services. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of hope, recovery, wellness, advocacy, cultural competence, trauma-informed care, and other critical topics.

Prerequisites: Other than a high school diploma or GED, there are no specific prerequisites for enrolling in the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training program. However, participants should have personal lived experience with the process of recovery from mental health and/or substance use disorder, either as a consumer of these services or as a parent or family member of the consumer, and a sincere commitment to providing support to others in their recovery journey.

This program is intended for participants who are residents of California. This course is not approved training to work as a Peer Support Specialist in any other state. InterCoast Colleges is a CalMHSA-Approved Training Provider. Topic descriptions are mandated by CalMHSA.

To enhance the success of its graduates and to ensure that only qualified applicants are accepted, InterCoast Colleges carefully considers each applicant's prior educational background, career interests, motivation and availability of time prior to acceptance. All applicants participate in an interview with an admissions representative and successfully complete all other admissions requirements before being accepted into the training program.

High School Diploma or GED Required. 80 Clock Hours consisting of 10 Weeks – Two evening sessions per week and one Saturday morning per week. Completion of 100% of the required hours is mandatory. CIP Code: 51.1504. SOC - O*NET: 21-1093.00.

This program is not eligible for Title IV funding.

Financial Aid

InterCoast Colleges is an eligible institution under the Pell Grant, SEOG, Direct Loans, Subsidized Stafford Loans, Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Additional Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, and Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Programs. Students may also qualify for various alternative loan programs. For more information regarding eligibility for any of the programs, contact the InterCoast Financial Aid Office. Students will be asked to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and applications for all available loan programs, including alternative and institutional loans will be discussed. The student will be notified of his/her financial award.

InterCoast participates in various tuition assistance programs, including but not limited to Veteran's Educational Benefits (VA), WIOA, TRA, Vocational and State Rehabilitation, tribal programs, alternative loan programs, and employer-sponsored programs, and such programs must be approved by the providing agency. Financial Aid is also available through the Title IV Programs under the U.S. Department of Education for those who qualify. Per ACCET standard, students are not financially obligated for greater than a one-year period at any time.

InterCoast is approved for training Veterans utilizing Veteran Administration Education benefits. InterCoast Colleges complies with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 and will not assess or implement any late fees for covered individuals who are using Chapter 33 or Chapter 31 VA Educational Benefits.

The catalog states the same amount as tuition and total program charges.

Graduate Employment Assistance Services

InterCoast Colleges offers job placement assistance for all students upon graduation at no additional charge; however, no guarantee of job placement, level of anticipated income, or wage rate is made or implied by the institution or any of its employees or representatives. InterCoast employs a Career Services Coordinator to assist graduates in contacting companies in order to secure employment. The Career Services Coordinator acts as a liaison between students and the employment community. Employment assistance efforts require both the graduate and institution to work hand in hand in the efforts. The graduate is expected to work diligently to secure employment, utilizing the career development training, soft skills training, and technical skills training received.

Graduates are encouraged to begin their employment search activities during externship and/or clinical internship training or within the last six weeks of schooling if applicable. Many students obtain employment without the assistance of the Career Services staff; however, the institution is available to assist eligible graduates at any time. All graduates will be provided placement assistance unless they are not eligible and/or if the graduate has submitted a valid student waiver of placement assistance.

Interactive Distance Learning (Fully Online or Hybrid)

Of equal importance to the student's success is the availability of time to participate in online classes, and additional time to complete classroom projects or homework as assigned. The more time spent on preparation and studying, the better the opportunity for achieving success. Students are required to log in and participate in forums, submit assignments, and/or take quizzes in any given week. Additionally, students will spend a significant time offline reading and studying. The student must manage their time carefully in order to succeed.

Online and Hybrid students must have access to a computer or tablet and internet in order to effectively participate in courses. Cell phone apps may not facilitate all required participation and cannot be relied upon for completing assignments. In addition, prior computer experience, including word processing knowledge, is helpful for success. The online LIRN Library can also serve as an access site to the many referenceable resources to complete all assignments. All online courses are delivered on-demand with weekly participation requirements.

InterCoast conducts classes throughout the year. These classes consist of structured modules, courses, or sections of instruction. Some classes may be offered online and/or in a hybrid format. The institution's system of scheduling modules allows participants to commence training at the beginning of most modules or terms.