A Peer Support Specialist is a trained professional with lived experience in mental health or substance use who provides support to individuals. Services include emotional support, goal setting, resource navigation, advocacy, group facilitation, and non-clinical crisis assistance to promote stability and wellness.
Our mission is to provide compassionate, peer-led support that empowers individuals to build resilience, achieve personal goals, and improve overall wellness through lived experience, advocacy, and community connection.
Our Peer Support team consists of Peer Support and Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists who are contracted with our organization and included in our Peer Support Directory. The directory features both state-certified medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists who have successfully passed the state certification examination and those who have completed an approved training program and received certification from their training institution. We engage both men and women Peer Support Specialists, creating a diverse network that reflects the communities we serve and ensures culturally responsive, person-centered, and recovery-oriented support.
Tracey Walters is a State-Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist with lived experience and a strong educational foundation in community health and behavioral wellness. She completed her California Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist training through Loyola Marymount University and obtained state certification in California. She is also a graduate of California State University, Dominguez Hills, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Community Health. Her education and professional training equip her to provide culturally responsive, healing-centered services, including peer support, mentoring, and community wellness workshops that promote resilience, empowerment, and long-term stability.
Pascal Echezona completed his Peer Support Specialist training through Loyola Marymount University, where he was prepared to support individuals and families using recovery-based and strengths-focused approaches. He brings a strong focus on faith-based engagement, lived-experience mentorship, and fatherhood development. Pascal is dedicated to uplifting men, young adult males and their families through guidance that promotes personal growth, responsibility, spiritual support, and meaningful connection within the community.
La’Wanna Harris completed her training at Loyola Marymount University as Peer Support Specialist ,also holds her Bachelor of Science Degree in Healthcare Administration concentration management. Working as a Peer Support Specialist providing non clinical support, helping identifying their goals and creating plans to achieve them.
David Ifediba, Ed.S., NCSP is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist dedicated to expanding access to mental health and educational support for underserved youth and families. He currently serves students in Southern California where he conducts comprehensive psychological evaluations, provides consultation to educators and families, and supports the development of individualized programs that address students’ academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
David earned his Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in School Psychology from California State University, Long Beach and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from University of California, Riverside. He is nationally certified through the National Association of School Psychologists as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP). His professional experience includes psychoeducational assessment, multidisciplinary collaboration, behavioral intervention planning, and supporting culturally and linguistically diverse student populations.
As a first-generation immigrant and community advocate, David is passionate about addressing systemic barriers that affect students’ access to educational and mental health services. His work focuses on early identification, culturally responsive assessment practices, and strengthening school-based supports for students experiencing academic and socio-emotional challenges.
In addition to his work in schools, David is an active community leader who develops programs and partnerships aimed at expanding educational opportunities and mentorship for young people. His long-term professional interests include advancing community-based mental health initiatives, educational consulting, and developing innovative programs that support student resilience and academic success.
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