Applications are open
for ‘Wellbeing Lab’
nInnovative Palmdale program
By Merdies Hayes
Managing Editor
The City of Palmdale is recruiting people from around the Antelope Valley to participate in a six-month Certification in Applied Positive Psychology program as part of its new Wellbeing Lab. The program is operated via the City’s Leadership Antelope Valley Initiative, a project of Palmdale Cares.
The Wellbeing Lab is a coaching program that pairs wellbeing science as a strategy for local leaders and groups to work together on robust solutions to the health and economic challenges facing the communities they serve.
Participants will agree to a six-month commitment that includes a formal 90-minute class per week and a monthly day-and-a-half class which will lead to a Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP). Each participant will also design and implement a community impact project applying and implementing some of what they learned within their spheres of influence.
Selected participants will be the first members of a regional wellbeing coalition. There are 50 spots available. The classes are expected to run from August through January 2022. Applications are available at www.cityofpalmdale.org/wellbeing. The cost for the program is $5,500 and scholarships are available.
The program will be led by Louis Alloro and Dr. Talma Schultz. Alloro is a senior fellow at the Center for Advancement of Wellness, while Schultz has extensive experience as an advocate in equity and youth development.
“Wellbeing is our ability to feel good and function effectively, and involves learning scientifically informed tools and strategies to navigate the ups and downs of life better,” Alloro said. “By undergoing the training together we will bring focus to the mental health, homelessness, and other challenges facing the region with greater vision and vitality.”
Palmdale Mayor Steve Hofbauer said the Wellbeing Lab will benefit quality-of-life issues in the city.
“This program is perfect for representatives of business, education, religion, criminal justice, media, healthcare, aerospace, and other parts of community life such as neighbor and grassroots groups, who can learn a common language and set of tools around how we can create more wellbeing in the Antelope Valley,” Hofbauer said.
For more information, contact Management Analyst Nardy Lopez at (661) 267-5177 or nlopez@cityofpalmdale.org .
