Wellness Advocates Valuing Educators and Students (WAVES)
What is the WAVES Program?
Researchers in the Department of Counselor Education at FAU are proud to partner with Brevard Public Schools (BPS), the School District of Indian River County (SDIRC), the School District of Manatee County (SDMC), the School District of Palm Beach County (SDPBC), Polk County Public Schools (PCPS) to increase the number of mental health providers in high-poverty, high-need schools.
Who Can Apply?
The WAVES program will admit three cohorts of counselors-in-training to start their master's or Ed.S. degrees in School Counseling beginning Fall 2023, January 2024, and January 2025. To be eligible, students must meet the following requirements:
- Be employed in a partner school district.
- Hold a bachelor's or higher degree.
- Meet the admission requirements (3.0 UGPA, GRE scores) and application deadlines.
Project Team
Dr. Elizabeth Villares Sacks 
Dr. Phyllis Hannah Bowers Parker Co-Principal Investigator
Associate Professor
bowersp@babycatcher.net
District Partners
Brevard Public Schools (BPS)
School District of Indian River County (SDIRC)
District of Manatee County (SDMC)
School District of Palm Beach County (SDPBC)
Polk County Public Schools (PCPS)
Program Instructors
- Dr. Hannah Bowers
- Dr. Eleanor Craft
- Dr. Kadeem Campbell
- Dr. Melissa Garcia
- Dr. Michael Kane
- Dr. Christina Ladd
- Dr. Carmen Larson
- Dr. Olga Rocha
- Dr. Deirdra Sanders-Burnett
- Dr. Ivette Urbina
- Dr. Tiffany Vastardis
- Dr. Elizabeth Villares Sacks
Advisory Board Members
Coming soon.
WAVES Fall 2025 Cohort Information Sessions
Please contact your district liaison for the information links, program FAQs, presentation slides, and session recordings.
School District of Manatee County
- Thursday, May 23, 2024 - 4 pm to 5 pm
- Thursday, August 12, 2024 - 4:30 pm to 5:30pm
- Monday, September 9, 2024 - 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
School District of Palm Beach County
- Thursday, August 8, 2024 (Palm Beach) - 5 pm to 6 pm
- Thursday, August 22, 2024 (Palm Beach) - 5:00 pm to 6 pm
Polk County Public Schools
- Thursday, September 5, 2024 (Polk) - 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
- Thursday, September 12, 2024 (Polk) - 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Fall 2025 Cohort Supplemental Applications Due October 1, 2024
Submission Link: http://forms.gle/yeVJpXkedLsc6o1KA
Supplemental Materials Packet:
- Statement of objectives: 2-3 pages
- School Counselor Interview
- Resume
- Copy of your Professional or Temporary Teaching Certificate
- Three recommendation letters on professional letterhead – one from a current administrator
- Unofficial transcripts
District WAVES Liaisons
Rick Flesher
Brevard Public SchoolsEmail:Flesher.Richard@Brevardschools.org
Sara Ange
School District of Indian River CountyEmail: sara.ange@indianriverschools.org
Dr. Prentiss Herron
School District of Manatee CountyEmail: herronp@manateeschools.net
Dr. Raiko Holman Knight
School District of Palm Beach CountyEmail: raiko.holmanknight@palmbeachschools.org
Dr. Eric Ehrhart
Polk County Public SchoolsEmail: eric.ehrhart01@polk-fl.net
Project Goal and Outcomes
The Department of Counselor Education will train 119 diverse and culturally responsive aspiring school counselors to earn their Florida School Counselor certification to expand that pipeline of qualified school-based mental health providers.
Annual Reports
Coming soon.
In the News
FAU Gets $6 Million to Increase Mental Health Counselors in SchoolsThis project is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Safe and Drug-free Schools and Communities – National Programs 84.184X. This webpage is operated and maintained by the Department of Counselor Education. The contents of this Web site do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the U.S. Department of Education nor do they imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education.