Student Ambassador Aurora B. connects with Cerritos College community to promote wellness coach program

The Foundation for California Community Colleges, with support from the California Department of Health Care Access and Information, is expanding statewide programs to grow the behavioral and mental health workforce.

SACRAMENTO, CA — The Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC) today announced $1,399,808 in new grants through the fourth round of the Wellness Coach Designated Education Program grant, administered in partnership with the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI). The program is part of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, a key component of the state’s Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health.

With funding from HCAI, the Wellness Coach Designated Education Program helps California community colleges develop and expand career-focused pathways in social work, human services, psychology, and addiction studies. The program complements students’ existing degree programs by providing a pathway to state certification. By completing the required curriculum and core competencies, students become eligible to apply for state certification and earn the Certified Wellness Coach I credential.

Certified Wellness Coaches are trained in early intervention and non-clinical support. They integrate into existing teams to promote social-emotional well-being, help prevent behavioral health challenges, and connect youth and family to resources within their community. Once certified, they are prepared to work in schools, community-based organizations, and health centers, with a focus on serving youth (0-25)  in underserved communities.

To date, $6,137,771 has been awarded to 32 colleges across four phases of funding. Since its launch in February 2024, the rapid expansion of the Wellness Coach Designated Education Program reflects both the urgent demand for youth mental health services and the growing need for accessible, community-based career pathways into behavioral health fields. Grants of up to $200,000 support colleges in launching or scaling programs aligned with HCAI’s certification and core competencies and curriculum. 

“California is facing a growing crisis, with more kids and teens struggling with their mental health and well-being than ever before,” said Michael Quiaoit, Senior Director of Equity and Community Impact for FoundationCCC. “California community colleges are leading the way in preparing Certified Wellness Coaches to deliver accessible, equitable care through prevention and early intervention, ensuring more families get the support they need, when they need it.”

The following colleges selected for this round of funding were based on the strength of their existing curriculum and readiness to meet state certification requirements:

• Coastline College
• Santa Barbara City College
• Rio Hondo College
• Santiago Canyon College
• Las Positas College
• Bakersfield College
• Santa Monica College

The Human Services degree program at Shasta College, along with the Social Work and Human Services degree at Santa Rosa Junior College and Southwestern College, are the first to enter HCAI’s validation designation review process. Pending approval, they will become the first in the state to advance from conditional approval to full designated status. All three colleges serve regions facing significant behavioral healthcare workforce shortages.

The Wellness Coach Designated Education Program advances the State Chancellor’s Vision 2030 goal of scaling behavioral and mental health workforce development to up to 80 community colleges throughout California. The program also serves as a critical entry point into the behavioral health workforce at the associate level. For many students, it provides a clear pathway to advanced education and licensure in mental health professions.

For a full list of participating colleges and future funding cycles, visit FoundationCCC’s program page.

The Foundation for California Community Colleges works to benefit students, colleges, and communities by accelerating paths to economic and social mobility, strengthening communities, and reducing barriers to opportunities for all Californians. FoundationCCC is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization founded in 1998. It serves as the official statewide nonprofit organization supporting the California Community Colleges, the largest system of higher education in the nation. For more information, visit www.foundationccc.org. 

The California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) is committed to expanding access to quality, equitable, and affordable health care for all Californians—ensuring every community has the health workforce they need, safe and reliable health care facilities, and health information that can help make care more effective and affordable. Its Health Workforce Development program develops, supports, and expands a health workforce that serves medically underserved areas, represents the California it serves through racial and language diversity, and serves Medi-Cal members. It also offers programs that provide financial support to organizations expanding educational capacity, individuals to pursue health careers (scholarship and loan repayment), and organizations to build the workforce pipeline.