JUNE 2026 Newsletter

A Message to Our Colleges

Welcome to the Wellness Coach Designated Education Program Newsletter!

As we head into summer, I want to first thank our college partners for your continued collaboration, dedication, and engagement. Your leadership and commitment have been essential to the success of this work, and we deeply appreciate the care you bring to this initiative.

I also want to recognize our incredible team. A special thank you to Joseph Camacho, Daphne Sajor, Itzel Estrada, and Michelle Grace for their leadership, hard work, and ongoing support of our college partners.

This year, we successfully completed five recruitment cycles, three colleges officially achieved designation, and in April, we hosted a Communities of Practice (CoP) that brought together colleges from across all four cohorts. These milestones reflect the strength of our collective efforts and our growing community.

As we continue to grow, we are focused on improving communication, providing timely support, and creating opportunities to share lessons learned across cohorts. We want every college to feel connected, supported, and empowered throughout this process.

Thank you for your partnership and all that you do. We are excited for what lies ahead.

Wishing you a restful and enjoyable summer.

Alé Vazquez
Program Manager

Recent Highlights

Ventura College Diversity in Culture Fair: Foundation CCC Program Specialist Daphne Sajor joined Ventura College Wellness Student Ambassador Sierra Dawson at Ventura College’s Annual Diversity in Culture Fair on April 9, 2026. The event celebrated diversity and community through live performances, a poetry slam, and local vendors, while also commemorating Ventura College’s 100-year anniversary. During the event, Sierra led outreach efforts with students, faculty, and community members, sharing information about the CWC I pathway and available program resources at Ventura College

Pictured: Sierra Dawson informing student about the CWC I Program during Ventura College’s Diversity in Culture Fair

Validation Updates

Shasta College

• On April 17, Shasta College hosted its second Career Technical Education (CTE) Preview Day, introducing local high school students to a range of high-demand and meaningful career pathways. 
• The Human Services program highlighted the new Certified Wellness Coach (CWC) pathway, engaging students in conversations about wellness and the importance of accessible support systems on campus. 
• Event highlights included more than 215 attendees, participation from 25 high schools across Siskiyou, Trinity, Tehama, and Shasta counties, and interactive hands-on activities and instructional area tours.

Pictured: Student engaging at Shasta’s CTE Preview Day

Chabot College

• Chabot College organized Mental Health Awareness Week, highlighted by the sixth Annual Suicide Prevention and Awareness Walk, which brought together over 300 participants and 35 community organizations for healing-centered activities, a resource fair, and cultural programming.
• The college promoted its Behavioral Health pathway and upcoming Summer Behavioral Health Traineeship in collaboration with California State University, East Bay’s Social Work Department.
• Chabot is expanding partnerships, including with San Lorenzo Unified School District, to support K-12 Wellness Center fieldwork placements aligned with Certified Wellness Coach requirements, while also participating in a statewide initiative to develop a sustainable fee payer model for wellness programs.

College Staff Highlights

Faculty Highlight: Wade Stewart, Shasta College

Wade Stewart, Doctor of Philosophy, is a full‑time faculty member in Human Services at Shasta College and has played a pivotal role in bringing the CWC program to campus. As a faculty advisor for the student ambassador program, Wade has contributed to both curriculum development and student engagement efforts.

Wade has been instrumental in advancing the CWC pathway, leading key curriculum updates and helping streamline the program to better support student success. He also supported a college‑sponsored outreach event that welcomed local high school students interested in CTE programs, helping create an engaging and informative experience.

With a background in Human Services and clinical therapy, Wade brings valuable real‑world insight and professionalism to the program. His contributions were central to the development of the CWC curriculum and directly supported the program’s official designation in March, marking a major milestone in the program’s launch and long‑term growth.

Pictured: Wade Stewart, Ph.D., Shasta College

Staff Highlight: Sarah Shamasha, Southwestern College

During the past academic year, Sarah Shamasha, Master of Arts, adjunct counselor at Southwestern College, made significant contributions to the CWC program through her counseling expertise and deep commitment to student engagement. Through one‑to‑one counseling, Sarah supported the Southwestern College team in recruiting nearly 60 students by engaging them in meaningful conversations about their educational goals and how those goals align with the CWC program. She led student orientations and counseling training, increasing awareness and understanding of the program across campus in both in‑person and virtual settings.

Sarah is a collaborative team player who consistently shares her expertise while implementing innovative recruitment strategies. Her passion for the CWC program is evident when she presents HCAI’s work, often speaking emotionally about its life‑changing impact on students. Sarah’s leadership, dedication, and belief in the program’s mission have made a lasting and inspiring impact on the Southwestern College community.

Student Ambassador Highlight

Aurora Bay-an, Student Ambassador, Cerritos College

Aurora Bay-an, a dedicated Student Ambassador at Cerritos College, continues to make a strong impact through her outreach efforts on campus. She has been actively working to promote the CWC pathway, engaging fellow students and building awareness around opportunities in behavioral health.

As part of her outreach efforts, Aurora participated in the Cerritos College Major Fair on September 16, 2025, held in the Student Center. During the event, Aurora connected with students alongside Kevin Grant, Community Engagement Manager from WONDROS, helping introduce the CWC pathway to a broader audience.

Aurora’s ongoing commitment to outreach and peer engagement reflects the vital role Student Ambassadors play in expanding awareness and access to this important career pathway.

Pictured: Aurora Bay-an, Cerritos College Student Ambassador, with Kevin Grant (WONDROS) promoting the CWC pathway at the Major Fair.

Staff Highlights

FoundationCCC Staff Highlight: 

Joseph Camacho is a husband, father, educator, and social worker. He brings the social work perspective with him to his role at FoundationCCC, and has over a decade of experience in the California Community College system. Joseph has taught as adjunct faculty (Health and Human Services), worked as an adjunct Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS)/NextUp counselor, and served in multiple roles across student services in student facing areas. His specialty is working with special populations, to include continuing education students (Gateway to College), current and former foster youth, veterans, and concurrent enrollment students utilizing both equity-centered and trauma-informed practices. 

Other career experiences have included serving as a readjustment counselor in the Department of Veterans Affairs, and working as a staffer for his hometown representatives, Rep. Barbara Lee and Senator/Congressman Mark DeSaulnier. Outside of work, Joseph plays saxophone for several Bay Area and Sacramento-based salsa, Latin rock, pop, funk, R and B bands.

HCAI Staff Highlight:

Ben Gamache began his career in the biological sciences, conducting cancer research at the National Cancer Institute and the Spanish National Cancer Research Center in Madrid. Over time, he shifted his focus from the lab to healthcare policy, driven by a commitment to advancing health and wellness on a broader scale. He now serves as a policy consultant at the HCAI, where he is leading the development of the new CWC profession. In this role, Ben brings together his scientific training and policy expertise to help shape the future of wellness in California’s healthcare system.

Pictured: Ben Gamache

What's Next?

Academic Year Planning

The WCDEP will be working hard over the summer taking the feedback we have received from you to develop our academic year plan for the academic year 2026-27. This plan will guide our technical assistance efforts, CoP, and other support and engagement priorities to ensure that we are offering the support you need in the areas that are most important to you. 

Campuses should expect additional opportunities to provide their feedback to the WCDEP and can contact Joseph Camacho with any questions or comments via email at [email protected].

Phase VI Recruitment

We are pleased to announce that Phase VI recruitment for the WCDEP will begin soon. More updates will be shared in the coming weeks, but if you know of any community colleges who may be interested and would be a good fit for the program, please contact us at [email protected].

Student Resources

College Mental Health Toolkit: The Mental Health Coalition’s College Mental Health Toolkit offers accessible, student‑centered resources to support mental health and well‑being on college campuses. The toolkit includes mental health facts, practical self‑care tips, guidance on seeking support, and actionable ideas for promoting mental health awareness and peer support across campus communities.

Mental Health Well Beings: Well Beings is a new, national public media campaign that is squarely aimed at raising the awareness of the nation’s mental health challenges through media and video. Well Beings is led by the Washington Educational Television Association, in concert with non-profit organizations, corporate partners, and local public media stations near you.

College Resources

Crisis Text Line: This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re all reminded of the importance of supporting our students' emotional and holistic well-being. In moments of stress or crisis, immediate access to help can make all the difference. Crisis Text Line, offered in collaboration with CCC Chancellor’s Office and FoundationCCC is a free 24/7 service that connects students with trained volunteer counselors via text.

In the News

• $1.4M Expands Pathways for Students to Become Certified Wellness Coaches
• CSU Dominquez Hills Receives Historic $29 Million Grant to Address Mental Health Workforce Shortage
• CSU Los Angeles Receives $48 Million Ballmer Group Grant to Expand Youth Mental Health Services in Los Angeles
• ‘Building a better future’: UC Los Angeles receives $33 million to address Los Angeles youth mental health crisis