Wellness Coach Resources & Opportunities
Connecting partners and organizations to opportunities, tools, and resources to engage with and implement wellness coaching.
Expanding Access to Youth Mental Health Support
Every young person deserves access to the support they need to thrive—but too many face barriers to behavioral health care across California.
Certified Wellness Coaches are part of a statewide effort to expand the behavioral health workforce and improve access to care. By providing wellness education, early intervention, and culturally responsive support, Wellness Coaches meet youth where they are—in schools, community settings, and other trusted spaces.
Explore resources, tools, and opportunities related to Certified Wellness Coaches, including pathways to certification and ways to integrate wellness coaching into programs that support youth mental health.
About Certified Wellness Coaches
Certified Wellness Coaches (CWCs) support children and youth (up to age 25) through prevention, early intervention, and wellness-focused services.
Wellness Coaches provide:
-
Wellness promotion and education
-
Individual and group support
-
Care coordination and referrals
-
Early intervention services
This role is designed to expand workforce capacity, reflect the diversity of communities served, and strengthen access to care.
About HCAI & the Wellness Coach Program
The Certified Wellness Coach program is developed and led by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) as part of California’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI).
HCAI leads statewide efforts to expand and diversify the behavioral health workforce, including establishing certification pathways, supporting education and training programs, and investing in workforce development to better serve children and youth across California.
For Community-Based Organizations
Integrate Wellness Coaches into Your Programs
Community-based organizations can integrate Certified Wellness Coaches to expand services and support youth through prevention and early intervention.
Benefits include:
-
Expanding workforce capacity
-
Increasing access to culturally responsive care
-
Strengthening youth engagement
-
Supporting school-linked and community-based services
Sustainable Funding Opportunities
Certified Wellness Coach services are part of California’s CYBHI Fee Schedule and may be eligible for reimbursement through Medi-Cal and commercial insurance, creating a pathway for sustainable funding beyond initial investments.
Become a Certified Wellness Coach
Individuals interested in supporting youth mental health can pursue certification through HCAI-approved education and workforce pathways across California.
Programs include training, field experience, and opportunities for career growth in behavioral health.
Learn More About Certification
Certified Wellness Coach Resources
Explore key tools and information to support certification, training, and implementation of Certified Wellness Coaches across California.
- Certification & Requirements
- Learn about eligibility, education pathways, and required field experience needed to become a Certified Wellness Coach.
- Certification Process Overview
- Access step-by-step guidance on how to complete the certification process.
- Education & Training Programs
- Find HCAI-designated community colleges and universities offering approved training programs aligned with certification requirements.
- Wellness Coach Pathways
- Explore education and workforce pathways for individuals entering or advancing within the behavioral health field.
- Employer & Implementation Resources
- Access tools and guidance for organizations looking to hire, support, and integrate Certified Wellness Coaches into their programs.
- Funding & Sustainability
- Learn more about reimbursement opportunities through California’s CYBHI Fee Schedule, including how wellness coaching services may be supported through Medi-Cal and commercial insurance.
Why This Matters
Certified Wellness Coaches are part of a broader effort to build a more accessible, equitable, and sustainable behavioral health system for children and youth.
By investing in prevention and early interveion, this workforce helps reduce gaps in care while creating pathways for future behavioral health professionals.
