Are you passionate about supporting mental health and wellness? Do you have personal experience navigating the challenges of mental illness or substance use, and want to turn that experience into a rewarding career helping others? LMU Extension’s Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training is here to guide you on your journey.
As an approved CalMHSA training provider, our 80-hour program equips you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to become a certified Peer Support Specialist in California. Whether you're new to the field or seeking to expand your skills, this program prepares you for impactful work in the behavioral health space. Let your personal journey inspire change and growth in others and take the next step toward a fulfilling career that makes a difference.
For more information, please contact us at Elizabeth.Tobias@lmu.edu
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LMU Extension is an approved CalMHSA training provider, and the course meets the educational requirements necessary for applicants seeking to take the state certification exam to become a California Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist. This 80-hour, instructor-led course covers a wide range of topics, including recovery principles, psychiatric rehabilitation, professional boundaries, and defined practices. It also focuses on critical skills such as group facilitation, conflict resolution, and preparing for employment in the behavioral health field. Participants will gain the tools necessary for effective service delivery and helping others navigating additional support services, all while emphasizing career readiness and industry standards.
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Kevin Benitez, MSW, CPSS, U.S. Army
Kevin has spent nearly 20 years dedicated to supporting Veterans in Southern California. He earned his Master’s Degree in Social Work with a focus on Military Veterans and Families from the University of Southern California. Kevin’s extensive experience spans program management, clinical supervision, care coordination, academic counseling, grant management, and peer support. He joined LMU Extension’s Vet2Peer program in 2020, bringing his skills as an educator and counselor with a strong background in higher education, having worked at Long Beach City College, USC, and Santa Monica College. Kevin currently serves as a full-time Tenure Track Faculty at Santa Monica College, where he leads the Veterans Success Center. As a Combat Veteran who served from 2000-2005 in the United States Army with deployments to the Pentagon, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Kuwait, and Iraq, Kevin understands the challenges Veterans and their families face during transition. In his free time, Kevin enjoys soccer, fantasy football, and spending time with his wife Elizabeth and his service dog Smoky.
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SPRING 2026 CLASS SCHEDULE
February 2 - May 6, 2026 (CLASS FULL)
Additional classes to be scheduled in the near future
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Scholarships are available for California residents through a fully funded program by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) with no out-of-pocket costs for tuition or materials. Scholarship includes the cost of tuition, career counseling, job placement assistance and post-program support for six (6) months. Interested individuals can complete a scholarship application.
Interested individuals can complete a Peer Specialist Scholarship Application.