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Program at a Glance
In partnership with Chabot-Las Positas Community College District, the Catalyst Center is excited to announce the official launch of the Catalyst for Wellness in Community (CWC) Apprenticeship Program for behavioral health workers. The Catalyst Center, the 501(c)3 branch of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services, was created to bridge the gaps between practice, policy, and research in the child and family services sector to help providers best meet the needs of our most vulnerable populations. Addressing the workforce crisis is a crucial step in ensuring providers have the necessary resources to provide trauma-responsive, culturally informed care for all systems involved youth and families.
The Catalyst for Wellness in Community (CWC) Apprenticeship Program is a mutually beneficial opportunity for prospective apprentices, employers, and the State of California. Through this program, we aim to increase the number of qualified individuals in the workforce, diversify the workforce, and improve the quality of care provided to California’s systems-involved youth and families.
For questions about the program please contact CWCApprenticeship@catalyst-center.org
Currently Recruiting New Employer Partners for Our Fall 2025 Cohort!
We are expanding our region to include all of Northern CA with a focus on far northern rural communities. If you are interested in learning more about participating as an employer partner in the CWC Apprenticeship Program, please complete the Interest Form below. This survey should take 10-15 minutes to complete.
Employers
In addition to increasing the number of individuals in thebehavioral health workforce, employers will also benefit from opportunities totrain their entire staff alongside the apprentices in areas such astrauma-responsive and healing care, cultural humility and understanding, andyouth engagement, just to name a few. Employers also benefit by increased retentionand maximizing your ROI, while being a part of California’s first behavioralhealth apprenticeship program!
Chabot College's Social Work and Human Services Programs
Employer Partners
Learn more about some of our current and past employer partners in the videos linked below or by visiting their website. Interested in becoming an employer partner? Contact use here
Alternative Family Services (Oakland, CA)
East Bay Agency for Children (Alameda County, CA)
Lincoln Families
(Pittsburg, CA)
Seneca Family of Agencies (Alameda County, CA)
West Coast Children’s Clinic (Hayward, CA)
Frequently Asked Questions
Didn't find an answer to what you were looking for?
Email Sharon Nilsson
Please reach out to Sharon at snilsson@catalyst-center.org
Each apprentice will take approximately 6 – 11 units each semester. This can be anywhere from 2 – 3 classes per semester.
The classes are all offered virtually through Chabot – Las Positas Community College. Some are synchronous, meaning they are offered online on a specific day and time, others are asynchronous which means you choose when you login to the classroom and participate each week on your own time. If you need to take a lab course to fulfill a General Ed requirement, you may be able to take that at your local community college in-person. You will be assigned a personal Academic Advisor to assist with all your course planning.
The program is a 2 ½ - 3 year commitment. The total time will depend on how many transferable college courses you have already completed. We ask apprentices to be committed for the full duration of the program
Yes, this is a paid job placement! You can work anywhere from 20 – 40 hours depending on the employer and your desired number of hours.
No, the application process is the first step. Candidates with strong applications will move forward to the interview process.
Yes, we offer support. Contact snilsson@catalyst-center.org with you're preferred language for next steps
If you haven’t heard back from us, don’t panic yet! We are carefully reviewing each application. You will be notified regardless of if you are moving to the interview round or if you are no longer being considered.
We understand this program is not for everyone. We encourage you to submit an application and contact us with any and all questions you may have. We will do our best to provide you with information so you can make an informed decision that best fits your needs and goals.
There is no cost to the apprentice to participate in this program! Our program is grant funded and offers you free college tuition towards an online Social Work and Human Services AA-T Degree in addition to free student support services and resources (i.e. laptop, books, study materials, personalized, emergency grants, and non-native English speaker support)
This program is a true apprenticeship program which means you will learn and earn! During this program you will build real firsthand experience and skills in the field. You will also have access to a mentor in your job placement who will guide you through your work experience in developing new skills. After the program you will leave with an associate degree for transfer in Social Work, 2.5 years of work experience, and other stackable certificates that can help propel you forward in your career.
Access and Information Grant Agreement 22-30021.
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