Building a Stronger Future: APPT

At the Mental Health Association of San Francisco, we're proud to announce the evolution of our peer workforce development programs. We've unified our former APPT and PROPEL initiatives into a single, streamlined program: Advanced Peer Professional Training (APPT). This integrated approach creates a seamless journey from training to employment for aspiring peer professionals.

The Heart of Our Training: Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Competencies

APPT's curriculum is built around the 17 core competencies required for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification. These skills empower you to transform lived experience into professional peer support, covering:

• Trauma-informed care

• Crisis intervention

• Recovery strategies

• Cultural humility

• Healthcare system navigation

You'll learn to balance personal boundaries with authentic connection, document interactions effectively, and advocate within complex systems—all while centering hope and self-determination. This isn't just test prep; it's comprehensive training to confidently walk alongside others in their recovery journeys.

Our Integrated Teams Working Together

Training Team:

• Delivers our virtual comprehensive 80-hour Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist curriculum

• Prepares participants for Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist certification

Workforce Team:

• Provides career coaching and job placement support.

• Employment Specialists offer:

  • Resume and interview preparation

  • Job search strategies

  • Ongoing career support

  • Guidance on skill building to navigate the ever-evolving workforce

Upcoming 2025 Cohorts:

• June 2-30 (5:30 PM-9:30 PM)

• July 7-31 (9:00 AM-1:00 PM)

Continuous Support:

From day one of training through employment and beyond, participants receive:

• Comprehensive peer support training

• Individualized career coaching

• Access to our growing professional network

Why This Matters

By unifying under APPT, we've created:

• A clearer path from training to employment

• Stronger collaboration between training and workforce teams

• More efficient use of resources to better serve you

What Hasn't Changed – And What That Means for You

While we've unified under the APPT name, our core mission remains the same: to provide transformative peer training and employment support rooted in lived experience. If you're currently enrolled in APPT or working with our Employment Specialists, you'll continue receiving the same personalized guidance, from certification prep to job placement.

Our teams are still here, with the same faces, expertise, and commitment, just working even more collaboratively behind the scenes. This means smoother transitions from training to careers, and the same supportive community you've come to trust.

Join Our Community

Our mission remains unchanged: to empower individuals with lived experience to become skilled, compassionate peer providers who transform mental health care.

Whether you're beginning your peer support journey or looking to advance your career, APPT offers the training and support you need to succeed. Together, we're building a skilled, compassionate peer workforce that transforms mental health care.

Apply now: mentalhealthsf.org/appt

Questions? Email: appt@mentalhealthsf.org

Join us—together, we're shaping the future of peer support!