About the Program
Pacific Clinics’ ELEVATE Peer Support Training & Placement Program provides no-cost training, certification support, and job placement assistance for San Diego County residents with lived experience in recovery. Participants receive individualized guidance from a Learning Partner from day one through certification, employment, and six months of on-the-job support.
This program helps peers successfully enter the behavioral health workforce with the skills, confidence, and support needed to thrive.
How to Enroll
Step 1: Complete Interest Form
Step 2: View and Complete Orientation Course
Step 3: Schedule Enrollment Meeting
Step 4: Have Enrollment Meeting and Commit to the 80-hour training
ELEVATE Interest Form Link
Submit Interest Form
Program Benefits
No Cost: This training is fully grant funded. Participants pay no fees. The grant covers the complete training and one certification application and exam.
Participants receive:
- Career counseling & job readiness coaching
- 80-hour Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist (MCPSS) training
- State certification guidance
- Vouchers covering application & exam fees
- Job placement assistance and six months of retention support
- Ongoing peer mentorship and professional development
- Up to $1,000 in incentive stipends for certification milestones and job retention (exceptions may apply)
Program Eligibility
To qualify, participants must:
- Must be 18 years or older to join Part 2 Live Training
- Reside in San Diego County
- Have a High School Diploma or GED or higher education
- Identify themselves as a peer with lived experience as a consumer, family member, or
caregiver of behavioral health or SUD services - Be interested in entering the behavioral health workforce with one of the Eligible Employers on ELEVATE List.
Participant Commitment
- Complete the 80-hour state-approved training
- Apply for state certification
- Receive ongoing support with a 6-month check-in after job placement
Training Format
The 80-hour training includes:
- Part 1: 31 self-paced online learning modules (39 hours) — rolling enrollment
* Participants must enroll by the cohort deadline and complete Part 1 of self-paced training at least 5 days before the start of Part 2: Live Training to be eligible to join. - Part 2: 14 live instructor-led Zoom sessions (41 hours, 3 hours each)
Upcoming Cohorts
Cohort 19
Self-Paced Modules (Part 1)
Participants must enroll by February 19, 2026 and complete all self-paced modules by March 9, 2026 in order to be eligible for Part 2.
Live Zoom Sessions (Part 2)
Dates: March 16 – April 2, 2026 (Mon–Fri)
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Future Cohort Live Training Dates (pending ongoing enrollment and completion of Self-Paced Part 1 of training):
Cohort 20: April 20, 2026 – May 7, 2026
Cohort 21: June 1, 2026 – June 18, 2026
Sign Up Now
Questions?
PeerCert@pacificclinics.org
Downloadable PDF ELEVATE Flyer Here
Become a Pacific Clinics ELEVATE Partner
If you’re a San Diego employer agency that is interested in becoming a referral or job placement partner with Pacific Clinics, please submit the form below.
Submit Partner Interest Form
Additional Resources
Elevating San Diego’s Behavioral Health Workforce ELEVATE Behavioral Health Workforce Fund
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