Which term represents the foundational knowledge set required to perform Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist duties?

• A. Foundational Knowledge
• B. Professional Standards
• C. Core Competencies
• D. Regulatory Requirements

Answer: (C)

Core competencies capture the essential mix of knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to perform Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist duties at a competent level. In this field, they describe the practical abilities and behavioral expectations—like recovery-oriented practices, ethical boundaries, effective communication, cultural humility, confidentiality, and crisis response—that peers must demonstrate in everyday work. They provide a concrete framework for training, supervision, and evaluation, ensuring consistent performance across roles.

Foundational knowledge is a broader, less specific term for the base information someone needs, rather than the organized set of abilities used to perform the job. Professional standards refer to expectations for conduct and ethics, not the actionable skill set. Regulatory requirements cover laws and rules programs must follow, which guide compliance but don’t define the day-to-day competencies needed to support clients.