California Association of Peer Supporters Academy

Logo of California Association of Peer Supporters Academy. A blue circular border with the name around, enclosing a stylized gold tree design with three circles representing people.

The California Association of Peer Supporters Academy (CAPS.academy) is built on the foundation of one of the oldest and best Peer Trainings in California.

Our training prepares those who identify as peers for roles in the public mental health system as employees or volunteers able to support individuals on their road to recovery through intentional and skillful use of lived experience.

The CAPS Academy is a statewide joint venture between two peer run agencies in California: Project Return Peer Support Network (PRPSN) and Mental Health America of California (MHAC) and is uniquely poised to be the vendor of choice.

This collaboration for the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training is an approved vendor with CALMHSA under the umbrella of Project Return Peer Support Network (PRPSN). Our combined experience, history, expertise and capacity meet the Peer Specialist training needs of CalMHSA throughout California. This training includes 80 hours of classroom instruction in-person and via Zoom.

 

If you are interested in participating in CAPS Academy but not yet ready to apply, we invite you to add your name to our interest list.

https://forms.office.com/r/CLTTPFcLEL

For questions or to learn more information about the training, contact:
Georgie Sullivan, Training Program Manager. (323) 772-9732 gsullivan@prpsn.org

Click on California Peer Certification for additional information about the certification process.

    • The Concepts of Hope, Recovery & Wellness

    • Confidentiality

    • Conflict Resolution

    • Co-Occurring Disorders

    • Crisis & Safety Planning

    • Cultural & Structural Competence

    • Digital Literacy

    • Documentation

    • Effective Peer Support

    • Employment Services

    • Group Facilitation Skills

    • Mental Health First Aid

    • Motivational Interviewing

    • System Navigation & Referrals

    • Psychiatric Rehabilitation

    • The Role of Advocacy

    • The Role of Consumers & Family Members

    • Self-Disclosure in the Workplace

    • Self-Care & Self-Awareness

    • Trauma Informed Care

    • Welcoming: The Great Equalizer

  • Those who identify as a Peer in recovery who are age 18 or older and who have personal lived experience with a mental illness, addiction, justice involvement and/or a close family member with lived experience. 

    Requirements:

    • Training participants must commit to attending and actively participating in 80 hours of training. 

    • Training participants must have the technical capability and make a commitment to participate on camera during Zoom virtual classroom sessions.

    • Training participants must have the heart and passion to assist others on their journey.

    • Training participants must have access to a computer or laptop and stable internet connection

    • Have a lived experience with mental health challenges or a family member has a mental health challenge

    • Are planning to take the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Exam.

    • Have Basic Digital Literacy skills that enables participation in the Online Courses.

    • Have access to a computer or laptop and stable internet connection.

    • Act as an agent on their own behalf.

    • Will positively contribute to the class as a learning community.

    • Can commit to the entire duration of the program.

    • Can create a distraction free learning environment remotely, that enables them to be fully present and engaged.

Apply Now!