PLAYMedi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training
The movement is underfoot to allow lived-experience individuals to help in serving those who are justice-impacted. TRIPSS is African American-owned, and justice-impacted-owned. This grant will support women, including those with children and individuals who identify as female (LGBTQI+), who are justice-impacted and/or have a history of incarceration.
What is the primary issue area that your application will impact?
Community safety
In which areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?
San Gabriel Valley
In what stage of innovation is this project, program, or initiative?
Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)
What is your understanding of the issue that you are seeking to address?
Seeking to Provide Certified Peer Support Specialist Job Training
We are committed to offering job training programs that lead to certification as a Peer Support Specialist, with a strong emphasis on creating pathways for individuals who are formerly incarcerated. This initiative is designed to deliver customized upskilling opportunities that directly support career advancement.
Participants who are currently employed may be eligible for a minimum 5% wage increase upon certification. For those not yet employed, the program offers structured work experience and direct pathways to full-time employment in the behavioral health and recovery support sectors.
Through this training, we aim to empower individuals with lived experience to become qualified professionals, enhancing both personal growth and community impact.
Describe the project, program, or initiative this grant will support to address the issue.
Peer Support Specialist are creditable messengers with lived experience , and a respected individual, with lived experiences that are shared with the youth, and adults who can gain employment to facilitate meaningful communication and relationship-building, provide authentic mentorship and support youth and adults in their positive growth and developments This Refers to an individual who has been justice-system involved, and/or who has been directly impacted by justice system involvement and/or incarceration of family member(s) or other personal support systems. This includes their personal insights into the challenges, such as the stigma, emotional consequences, and practical barriers and hardships they face during incarceration and upon their return to the community.
Describe how Los Angeles County will be different if your work is successful.
The San Gabriel Valley and Pomona face long-standing racial and economic challenges. This inclusive workforce training program addresses those issues by uniting diverse participants to build job skills and mutual understanding. Rooted in equity and empowerment, it promotes healing, economic mobility, and community cohesion. Diversity in training fosters innovation, empathy, and better outcomes. By modeling inclusion and targeting underserved populations, the program creates pathways to employment and long-term success. It’s more than training—it’s a step toward unity, opportunity, and lasting regional progress.
Approximately how many people will be impacted by this project, program, or initiative?
Direct Impact: 15
Indirect Impact: 15