Recent Highlights
Phase 1: Grantee Kick-Off Meeting
January 30, 2025 | Zoom
In January 2025, the FoundationCCC’s WCDEP team hosted the Grantee Kick-Off Meeting to inaugurate the CWC education programs across awarded Phase I California Community Colleges. This collaborative event brought together college teams and FoundationCCC staff to align on program goals curriculum development, and certification competencies. It set a collaborative tone for the initiative and emphasized the collective effort to expand youth behavioral health services statewide.
Wellness Coach Collaborative Launch
April 14, 2025 | Zoom
In April 2025, the FoundationCCC’s WCDEP team launched the first Community of Practice meeting for Phase I grantees. This interactive session introduced the Wellness Coach Collaborative, a new, grantee-driven effort focused on strengthening how colleges assess and support their wellness coach programs. The session emphasized a human-centered approach to building community-rooted pathways and included discussions on student-level data collection to enhance reporting.
Phase 2: Grantee Kick-Off Meeting
May 9, 2025 | Zoom
Following the Phase I Grantee Kick-Off Meeting, the FoundationCCC’s WCDEP team hosted a second Kick-Off Meeting for Phase 2 participants in early May. Phase 2 conditionally designated college teams were brought together with the FoundationCCC’s WCDEP team and HCAI staff to learn about the college-centered implementation approach, upcoming deliverables, timelines, and future program events. The session focused on implementation strategies, key deliverables, and the CWC certification pathways, inspiring thoughtful discussions and shared enthusiasm for advancing youth behavioral health across California.
College Highlights
Phase I Colleges
Chabot College
- Chabot College’s 5th Annual Suicide Prevention Awarness Walk brought together 300+ students, staff, and community partners for a day of reflection, support, and connection.
- Activities included a Wellness Village, campus walk, and resource fair with 30+ organizations, highlighting Chabot’s commitment to mental health and student well-being.
Cuesta College
- Dr. Michele Haley will begin leading Cuesta College's HCAI Wellness Coach grant in Fall 2025, applying her clinical and program development experience to expand student support.
- Following strong interest from addiction Studies and Human Services, Cuesta is planning a Mental Wellness Support Specialist certificate and will share more info this fall.
Santa Rosa Junior College
- Santa Rosa Junior College named Jessica Paisley as faculty lead for the Wellness Coach Designated Education Program and convened 17 partners to align on goals.
- In partnership with the Sonoma County Office of Education, the program is expanding student internship opportunities while continuing to support student-led initiatives that promote mental health awareness and community engagement.
East Los Angeles College
- East Los Angeles College is advancing its Certified Wellness Coach program, with Project Coordinator Sarah Utso leading implementation and recruitment planning.
- Dr. Randy Ludwig and Dr. Lisa Vartanian are refining the curriculum for approval, as the team prepares for upcoming Summer of Wellness outreach events.
Southwestern College
- Southwestern College and CSU San Marcos are developing a 2+2 pathway to support San Diego County students pursuing careers as Certified Wellness Coaches.
- This partnership expands access, supports student success, and strengthens the regional behavioral health workforce.
Phase II Colleges
- Phase II welcomed 12 new colleges to the Wellness Coach Designated Education Program, helping reduce barriers to youth mental health care statewide.
- These colleges expand the CWC pathways into seven counties, reaching Central Motherlode, Northern Coastal, and Orange County Regions.
- Through early in their designation journey, each college has demonstrated a strong commitment to community wellness and a healthier California.