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Become a Certified Wellness Coach I (CWC I)

Earn a Chabot College degree that qualifies you to pursue Wellness Coach I certification through California’s Department of Health Care Access & Information (HCAI). As a Certified Wellness Coach, you will provide entry-level behavioral health support to children and youth up to age 25, supporting young people before clinical services are needed and making it easier to access care early. This role focuses on helping youth build healthy habits, strengthen protective factors, and receive wellness support that is caring, inclusive, and easy to access.

Six Core Services Provided by CWCs

  • Provide wellness promotion and education
  • Support coordination and facilitation of screening programs
  • Connect youth to support services and coordinate care
  • Offer emotional support and teach wellness skills to young adults
  • Lead groups that build life skills and support emotional well-being
  • Recognize potential risks and provide support, including crisis referrals
Work in settings including: Work with professionals such as:
  • Community organizations
  • Health centers and clinics
  • K–12 schools
College settings and more
  • School psychologists
  • Counselors
  • Social workers
  • Health & wellness staff, and more

 

Two Pathways for CWC I Certification

There are two pathways to becoming a Certified Wellness Coach I: the Education Pathway and the Workforce Pathway. Both pathways combine completion of a qualifying associate degree at Chabot with the required fieldwork experience. Upon meeting the degree and service hour requirements, students can become Certified Wellness Coach I (CWC I) through HCAI.
See requirements for each pathway outlined below. 

1) The Education Pathway

This is for students pursuing one of the following Associate Degrees from Chabot College — or who have obtained one of the following degrees within the past 6 years — and completed the qualifying fieldwork services hours as outlined below.

      1.  Qualifying Degrees 
        • AA-T Social Work & Human Services*
        • AA-T Psychology
        • AS Human Services

      2. Service Hours Required
        • Complete a minimum of 150 hours of qualified** Human Services fieldwork experience.

*Recommended: Social Work & Human Services is recommended by HCAI because it includes Certified Wellness Coach core competencies and a fieldwork experience course (PSCN 95 & PSCN 96).

2) The Workforce Pathway

This is for people who have experience providing direct pre-clinical behavioral health services to children and youth through age 25 in school-linked/school-based organizations, non-profits, community organizations, and/or health centers/clinics within the last six years. 

      1. Qualifying Degrees - any Associates Degree
      2. Service Hours Required
        • Complete a minimum of 1350 hours of qualified Human Services fieldwork experience.

 

Next Steps

  1. Visit the HCAI Wellness Coach website
  2. Fill out the Chabot Wellness Coach Interest Form
  3. Schedule a counseling appointment

Certification is granted through HCAI. Degree completion and fieldwork hours must meet current HCAI requirements at the time of application.