It is the intent of the Legislature that the peer support specialist certification program, established under this article, achieve all of the following:
(a) Support the ongoing provision of services for individuals experiencing mental health care needs, substance use disorder needs, or both, by certified peer support specialists.
(b) Support coaching, linkage, and skill building of individuals with mental health needs, substance use disorder needs, or both, and to families or significant support persons.
(c) Increase family support by building on the strengths of families and helping them achieve a better understanding of mental illness in order to help individuals achieve desired outcomes.
(d) Support collaboration with others providing care or support to the individual or family.
(e) Assist parents, families, and individuals in developing coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills in order to help individuals achieve desired outcomes.
(f) Promote skill building for individuals in the areas of socialization, recovery, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, development of natural supports, and maintenance of skills learned in other support services.
(g) Encourage employment under the peer support specialist certification to reflect the culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental health service experiences, and substance use disorder experiences of the individuals the peer support specialists serve.
(Added by Stats. 2020, Ch. 150, Sec. 2. (SB 803) Effective January 1, 2021.)