Projects will provide coursework that aligns with the competencies necessary for students studying to become Certified Wellness Coaches. These students require certification by the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) to practice in California. Certified Wellness Coaches provide non-clinical services to support the behavioral health and well-being of California’s children and youth.

SACRAMENTO, CA— April 11, 2025 —The Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC) has awarded over $2 million to 20 California community colleges to expand behavioral health education. The funding supports  the “Wellness Coach Designated Education Program.” This initiative, supported by the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), strengthens the behavioral health workforce by training students to provide essential mental health support services for children and youth across the state.

The initiative’s first phase, announced in October 2024, was awarded to eight colleges. With an increased investment of $2,017,717, this funding phase will support an additional 12 colleges in strengthening pathways for students pursuing certification as Wellness Coaches. These trained professionals will play a critical role in providing preventative and early intervention mental health services, helping to bridge gaps in access to behavioral health care within diverse communities.

“Expanding this important grant program enables us to address workforce gaps, facilitate career advancement, and support even more children and youth throughout our state. The California Community Colleges’ dedication to workforce innovation and their proactive approach to designing programs aligned with Certified Wellness Coach competencies will not only help us develop this essential workforce but also ensure that vital resources are directed to the areas where they are most needed.” — Sharmil Shah, MA, Psy.D, Branch Chief, Behavioral Health and Policy, HCAI

“We are excited to partner with HCAI again to expand this crucial initiative. The Wellness Coach Designated Education Program aligns perfectly with our mission to enhance educational pathways and address the pressing workforce needs in our local communities. California community colleges are prepared to cultivate diverse, intentional, and culturally competent wellness coaches, advancing our commitment to an inclusive and holistic approach to mental health support.”— Iris Aguilar, Vice President, Equity and Community Impact, FoundationCCC

Twelve applications were received from community colleges during this funding phase. This phase’s awardees are as follows:

• Berkeley City College will pilot the first intra-district program collaboration with Laney College, enabling students from both campuses to leverage resources at either location based on their needs. The Wellness Coach Designated Education Program (WCDEP) will partner with Laney College’s Restoring Our Communities (ROC), which supports formerly incarcerated students, to recruit and enroll participants. The WCDEP is a natural fit for ROC students, many of whom have lived experiences that align with careers in social work and human services.
• Cañada College aims to support a diverse behavioral health workforce by increasing the representation of persons of color who can provide culturally responsive care. The project will address workforce diversity gaps by providing meaningful exposure to behavioral health workforce pathways. Funding will allow Cañada College to update its curriculum and develop an “earn-and-learn” model for students interested in Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment (ADT) in Social Work and Human Services. This will also include Certified Wellness Coach opportunities, internships, and other apprenticeship opportunities..
• Cerritos College is uniquely positioned to address the workforce shortage with its already-established programs and certificates. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), Cerritos College seeks to diversify the workforce and grow culturally responsive mental health workers within its local community. The addition of the Wellness Coach Designated Education Program will further enhance these offerings.
• Cosumnes River College aligns with the grant’s purpose by providing a talent pipeline to health and wellness career paths. It intends to improve equity gaps and promote diversity in social work and human services. Cosumnes River College also plans to improve its curriculum to cover all core competencies and partner with Folsom Lake College to implement the program.
• Cuyamaca College aligns with the grant’s purpose by intentionally focusing on historically underrepresented and marginalized populations. Currently, Cuyamaca College has a disproportionate representation of students in the Social Work program. However, many students come from historically underrepresented populations that social workers often serve. These populations experience systemic oppression and discrimination, yet may not seek help due to cultural norms or barriers to accessing care. Intentionally focusing on these populations could help reduce the stigma around mental health, not only among our students but also within the larger community.
• Fresno City College seeks to address behavioral health workforce shortages through curriculum updates that integrate wellness coaching with social services degree work. The program prioritizes underserved and minoritized populations and creates a sustainable learning network to address systemic barriers for low-income, first-generation, and racially minoritized students.
• Los Angeles Pierce College aligns with the HCAI Wellness Coach grant program’s mission to promote social and emotional well-being, prevent behavioral health challenges, and expand access to mental health and substance use services for youth across California. As an HSI, many students are first-generation college attendees or come from underserved communities. These individuals will bring important lived experiences to Wellness Coach positions. Many students in their programs are already drawn to careers that support health and wellness, and the certification enhances their ability to achieve those goals. This grant will ensure that Los Angeles Pierce College can prepare students as wellness professionals to serve the diverse needs of California students and the larger population.
• Mendocino College is a remote rural community college and has historically served marginalized and disadvantaged groups. This grant funding will allow Mendocino College to expand outreach efforts and train behavioral health paraprofessionals to support youth-serving organizations, helping to alleviate the local behavioral health workforce shortage.
• Merritt College prioritizes serving historically marginalized students, such as formerly incarcerated and addiction recovery students. Many children in these communities face higher rates of suspension, expulsion, and incarceration without access to mental health services. Implementing the HCAI Wellness Coach grant will create another pathway for these communities to find sustainable careers while increasing representation in the academic and healthcare setting.
• Pasadena College will focus on supporting diverse students in its Psychology program, many of whom are interested in pursuing careers that serve their communities. These students are uniquely positioned to benefit from this program as they have already taken prerequisite courses for the certification. Grant funding will assist Pasadena College in extending students’ employability and exposure to wellness fields. Additionally, Pasadena College is creating a new Social Work ADT program.
• Saddleback College will offer a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)-centered wellness curriculum that emphasizes self-care practices. The diverse backgrounds of many of these students allow for the development of empathic and effective workers who can mirror and meet the needs of a diverse community. Learning and fieldwork experience opportunities provided by Saddleback College will prepare students for entry-level careers in mental health and substance use treatment settings.
• West Los Angeles College launched a new Social Work Associate in Arts for Transfer (AAT) and has long offered an Associate of Arts (AA) degree and certificate program in addiction studies. The Wellness Coach Designated Education Program will build on these efforts by providing students with resources such as free textbooks, tutoring, apprenticeships, and academic and mental health support. Funds will also facilitate outreach, student recruitment, and industry collaborations to support fieldwork requirements.

Project proposals were evaluated by the program guidelines provided to all applicants, and the final awardees were chosen for their alignment with the grant program’s purpose to develop and implement a curriculum aligned with the state’s requirements for the Certified Wellness Coach I certification.

Through this investment, FoundationCCC and HCAI are ensuring that students have the training, mentorship, and career support needed to make a meaningful impact in California’s behavioral health workforce. As the Wellness Coach Designated Education Program continues to expand, future funding cycles will further scale this initiative, ensuring broader access to behavioral health careers statewide.

For more information about the Wellness Coach Designated Education Program and future funding cycles, please visit our program page.

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The Foundation for California Community Colleges works to benefit students, colleges, and communities by accelerating paths to economic and social mobility 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 equitable access to quality, affordable health care for all Californians through resilient facilities, actionable information, and the health workforce each community needs. HCAI’s health workforce development efforts focus on developing, supporting, and expanding a health workforce that serves medically underserved areas, reflects California’s racial and language diversity, and provides care for Medi-Cal members. Its programs offer financial support to organizations expanding educational capacity, individuals pursuing health careers through scholarships and loan repayment, and organizations working to strengthen the workforce pipeline.