CWC Scholarships for State University or Community College Students
Apply NOW through August 16th, 2024
Scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year are now open (external website, new window) (new window) – PDF
Right now, half of California’s youth are struggling with their mental health and well-being. There’s never been a better time to become a California Certified Wellness Coach. A strong and diverse workforce means a healthier California.
Scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year are now open (external website, new window)
What is a Wellness Coach?
There is an urgent need to support the mental health needs of California’s children and youth. Certified Wellness Coaches (Coaches) provide care to young people through prevention and early intervention services. These services support overall physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
ABOUT BECOMING A CERTIFIED WELLNESS COACH (external website, new window)
How can a Certified Wellness Coach benefit your program or community?
Today’s mental health crisis is negatively impacting children and youth in California. Certified Wellness Coaches can create real change. Coaches can make a positive difference in schools, health care programs, and community organizations because they can help the young people they serve have better, happier lives.
FOR EMPLOYERS (external website, new window)
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO BECOME A CERTIFIED WELLNESS COACH
Becoming a Certified Wellness Coach (Coach) lets you play a role in improving mental health and well-being of children and youth in California. Discover your path to certification today.
APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP
If you apply for the Certified Wellness Coach scholarship, you could be awarded up to $35,000 annually!
LEARN IF YOU QUALIFY
Explore the Grant Guide for greater detail
For schools, health care programs, or community organizations, hiring a Certified Wellness Coach gives students access to high-quality support, which helps them lead happier, healthier lives.
Benefits of Hiring a Wellness Coach
Schools, health care programs, and community groups looking to provide comprehensive behavioral health services and support to their clients can benefit from hiring a Certified Wellness Coach.
Certified Wellness Coaches supplement the efforts of existing professionals, allowing them to focus on clients with more complex needs. This increases your organization’s capacity to provide increased access to care where it’s needed most.
Hiring a Certified Wellness Coach empowers your organization to build a stronger, more resilient community.
When you hire a Certified Wellness Coach, it helps your organization do an even better job of supporting your clients’ mental well-being. They provide tools that are easy to use, so your clients can do well and succeed.
California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) – Designated Education Programs play a big role in shaping the future of behavioral health in California. Join us and help train future Certified Wellness Coaches who will contribute to a healthier California.
How to Create an HCAI-Designated Curriculum
Creating an HCAI-Designated curriculum is a collaborative process. We’re here to offer resources to help education programs that offer social work, human services, and addiction studies degrees to align their coursework to our standards. Dedicated HCAI consultants are available to work with you to become program-ready.
If you have any questions, you can send them to CWCEdPrograms@hcai.ca.gov.
FAQ for Educational Programs
What’s in the curriculum?
The curriculum for Certified Wellness Coaches comprises two different learning paths: Certified Wellness Coach I and Certified Wellness Coach II. Each one is designed to meet specific educational and skill development needs.
- You’ll complete an Associate’s Degree in topics related to mental health and behavior.
- You’ll also complete 400 hours of field experience.
- Prepares graduates with foundational knowledge and skills to work in positions that focus on wellness promotion and education, care coordination, and screening for basic behavioral health needs.
When you finish this program, you’ll get an associate’s degree and be a Certified Wellness Coach I.
- This path is more in-depth. You’ll complete a bachelor’s degree in more advanced mental and behavioral health topics.
- You’ll also do 800 hours of field experience.
- Builds on the Certified Wellness Coach I curriculum and prepares graduates with additional expertise to support individuals and small groups, including goal setting, life skills, and coping skills.
After completing this program, you’ll get a bachelor’s degree and be a Certified Wellness Coach II.
How can my college or university become an HCAI-Designated Education Program?
Beginning now, colleges and universities with social work, human services, addiction studies, or related programs can start matching their courses with HCAI training needs. To kick start the process, collaborate with HCAI consultants. Connect with our HCAI Certified Wellness Coach team for more guidance.
Besides California Community Colleges and Cal State Universities, can other organizations apply to become HCAI-Designated Education Programs?
Private nonprofit universities with human services, social work, or addiction studies programs can also become HCAI-Designated Educational Programs by following the same process as California State Universities.