The Peer Specialist for Youth program provides training to individuals who have overcome personal challenges experienced as a child/youth/TAY, as well as the parents and caregivers who have worked with and supported individuals with lived experience. The program is also ideal for those working with youth and those passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people struggling with addiction and mental health challenges.
Students will draw on their own experiences and recovery as they acquire the knowledge, resources, and tools necessary to help others overcome their challenges. Upon completion of the program, students earn a Peer Specialist Certificate and are prepared to fill peer support roles in community-based organizations, government agencies, community health clinics, recovery centers, and housing and homeless service providers. Students may also be eligible for tuition scholarship and additional supports including career counseling, job placement assistance and post-program support for six (6) months.
Take the first step toward making a positive impact in the lives of young people struggling with mental health challenges. 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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Jenny Serrano, MPA
Jenny Serrano is a Children’s Services Administrator III (Program Director) for the County of Los Angeles’ Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Youth Development Services Division. She began her career at DCFS in 2010 after serving as the Special Assistant to Deputy Chief Executive Officer Miguel Santana in the County’s Chief Executive Office. In this role, Jenny assisted with program development, policy analysis, and made recommendations to County leadership while overseeing a $2-billion-dollar portfolio created through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Jenny is currently responsible for managing programs that support transition-age foster youth in areas such as employment, transportation, and credit protection, impacting thousands annually. She manages a dedicated team of 26 staff members, including program managers, working toward providing youth with the resources they need for a successful future.
Jenny holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Administration degree from California State University, Northridge. She is also an Associate Professor of Political Science at Pierce College, where she has taught for 16 years. Jenny has also served on the Board of Directors for Peace4Kids, a nonprofit organization supporting foster youth in South Los Angeles, and remains involved as a volunteer and consultant.
Jenny entered foster care at 13 years old and aged out at 18, attending 6 high schools and living in 6 different foster homes. At 19, she became a caregiver for her younger brother. Today, Jenny has a family of her own with her children, Nyah (22) and Asher (15), and enjoys reading, road trips, and concerts.
Zaid Gayle
Zaid Gayle is the Executive Director and co-founder of Peace4Kids, an organization dedicated to helping youth in foster care transition successfully to adulthood. With 25 years of experience in youth development and community leadership in South Los Angeles, Zaid has become a trusted resource for the youth he serves. He has worked on the state and local level to help shape policies that improve services for youth in foster care.
As Executive Director, Zaid has been instrumental in the growth and impact of Peace4Kids, particularly the Saturday program, which serves over 200 foster youth each year. Youth look up to Zaid as a mentor and trusted guide as they navigate their path to independence.
Zaid’s leadership helped influence the passage of AB12 in 2010, a significant piece of legislation that extended foster care services in California to age 21. He has worked nationally and internationally to promote changes that improve the services and experiences of youth in foster care, including giving testimony and meeting with lawmakers.
Zaid also collaborates with educators and researchers to develop innovative programs, including the Heart-Centered Connectors Certificate Program, which trains adults with foster care experience to help create safe spaces for children in need of support.
Mario Johnson
Mario Johnson is dedicated to being a voice of hope for youth and families by building community resources, developing programs, and empowering volunteers, direct service workers, and service providers through training. His goal is to support programs that focus on mentorship, leadership development, and community revitalization while strengthening policies and rallying program support to create positive, lasting change.
Mario holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies, a Master of Science in Community Counseling, and a Master of Social Work. He also completed the Annie E. Casey Child and Family Fellowship, which connected him with innovative child well-being leaders nationwide. This experience enhanced his ability to develop action plans that focus on serving individuals in the foster care system and deepen his commitment to creating positive change for children, youth, and families.
With a strong passion for child welfare, Mario’s career has been driven by his desire to inspire others to engage in transformative work that prioritizes the well-being of children and families. He has worked collaboratively with community, non-profit, public, and philanthropic partners to improve how systems serve youth and families. Mario believes that strengthening child and family well-being requires building leadership skills, fostering community connections, and revitalizing policies that support these goals.
In his career, Mario has gained valuable experience and skills in improving how systems serve children, youth, and families. He previously served as a Division Chief with the LA County Department of Children and Family Services, where he helped establish the Office of Equity. Mario currently works as a Strategic Consultant, assisting multiple states in transforming child welfare systems into ones that focus on overall child and family well-being.
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SUMMER 2025 SCHEDULE COMING SOON
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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. Click here to apply:
Peer Specialist Scholarship Application
To request a hard copy of the application, email elizabeth.tobias@lmu.edu or call 310-338-5813.