Empowering Individuals Through Training, Certification, and Community Support
Peer support services have been shown to significantly improve mental health outcomes by reducing hospitalization rates, enhancing social connections, and promoting long-term wellness. By integrating peer support into the behavioral health system, UAG is helping to create more accessible, compassionate, and effective care for those in need.
Peer Support as an Evidence-Based Practice
The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recognizes peer support services as an evidence-based practice that improves mental health outcomes, reduces hospitalizations, and fosters long-term recovery. Studies show that peer support enhances engagement in treatment, promotes self-efficacy, and strengthens social connections. By incorporating peer support into behavioral health services, organizations like United And Guided are ensuring that individuals receive care that is compassionate, relatable, and effective in supporting recovery and wellness.
History of Senate Bill 803
Senate Bill 803, which was signed into law in 2020, brought about an important change in how peer support is recognized and utilized in mental health recovery in California. The bill acknowledged the vital role that peer support plays in helping individuals overcome mental health challenges. One of the key outcomes of this law was the establishment of peer support as a reimbursable service under Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program. This meant that people who have received training and who have personal experience dealing with mental health issues could now offer their support to others in a professional capacity and get paid for their work. By allowing trained individuals with lived experience to provide meaningful and relatable assistance to others facing similar struggles, the bill gave these peer support specialists a legitimate and valued place within the larger behavioral health system. This law was a significant milestone in the mental health field, as it not only legitimized the role of peer support specialists but also created new opportunities for people with lived experience to build careers in mental health and use their personal journeys as a source of strength and inspiration for others who are working toward recovery. Ultimately, SB 803 helped to formalize peer support in a way that ensures individuals dealing with mental health challenges have access to this unique and relatable form of assistance, which can be an essential component of their recovery process.
Peer Support as a Billable Service
Under the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), peer support specialists can now provide reimbursable services. These services help individuals build coping skills, navigate resources, and foster recovery in a supportive, person-centered environment. Medi-Cal now recognizes peer support as an essential part of behavioral healthcare, ensuring individuals have access to emotional and social support in their recovery process.
The inclusion of peer support as a billable service allows for a more integrated and holistic approach to mental health care. Peer support specialists are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between clinical services and community-based recovery, offering real-world insights and strategies that complement traditional mental health treatments. By working alongside therapists, case managers, and other healthcare providers, peer support specialists enhance the continuity of care for individuals struggling with mental health and substance use disorders.
In addition to providing emotional support, peer specialists also assist with practical recovery strategies, including goal-setting, self-advocacy, wellness planning, and navigating complex healthcare and social service systems. These services empower individuals by fostering resilience, self-determination, and long-term stability. Through one-on-one mentoring, group sessions, and structured programs, peer support professionals play a crucial role in reducing relapse rates and strengthening recovery outcomes.
United And Guided's Role
United And Guided partners with CalMHSA to provide training for Medi-Cal members pursuing certification as Peer Support Specialists. Through this partnership, individuals are trained in essential skills, such as active listening, crisis intervention, and resource navigation. Additionally, UAG collaborates with CalVoices to offer internships and career pathways for those passionate about mental health advocacy and support.
United And Guided’s peer support training program ensures that individuals with lived experience receive the tools they need to assist others while also advancing their own careers in mental health services. By offering structured training and real-world application through internships, UAG is at the forefront of expanding the peer support workforce in California.
Expanding Opportunities Through Peer Support
At United And Guided, we recognize that peer support is more than just a service—it’s a movement toward inclusive and community-driven mental health care. As demand grows, we continue to advocate for increased funding, improved training programs, and broader accessibility so that individuals from all backgrounds can access high-quality peer support services.
By leveraging partnerships with organizations like CalMHSA and CalVoices, we are creating meaningful career pathways for Medi-Cal members who wish to become certified Peer Support Specialists. Our commitment to equity, education, and empowerment ensures that our services are both effective and sustainable for the long term.
In addition, UAG is working to expand peer support beyond traditional healthcare settings by integrating it into housing assistance, workforce development, and community-based intervention programs. By doing so, we aim to provide wraparound support for individuals facing complex social and economic challenges, ensuring that mental health care is holistic, accessible, and person-centered.
We are also actively recruiting and mentoring a diverse group of peer support specialists, particularly from historically marginalized communities, to ensure that individuals receiving care feel represented and understood. Through culturally competent training and outreach, we are closing the gap between mental health services and the people who need them most.