Our Mission
The Center for Criminality & Addiction Research, Training & Application (CCARTA) is devoted to work force competence in addiction and mental health services by bringing research to practice our clients deserve the best!
Our efforts are designed to support those working in various capacities within recovery-oriented systems of care, by way of training, curriculum development, technical assistance, continuous quality improvement, program needs assessment, specialized symposia, and team-building strategies. We work with entry-level practitioners, supervisors, faculty, agencies, and legislators toward increasing access to quality care and improving treatment outcomes.
In addition to overcoming the stigma of addiction, we aim to build a culturally competent work force, including effective leaders, capable of delivering gender- and age-responsive treatment to clients who may also have co-occurring disorders or physical, sensory, developmental and cognitive disabilities.
Igor Koutsenok, MD, MS, Center Director
Igor Koutsenok, MD, MS, is Director of the University of California San Diego, Center for Criminality & Addiction Research, Training & Application (CCARTA) and he has full time faculty appointment at the UCSD Department of Psychiatry. He graduated as a medical doctor in 1982 at the National Medical University in Kiev, (Ukraine). In 1990 he completed his psychiatry residency training and received degree as psychiatrist from the Medical University in Sofia (Bulgaria). In 1994-1996 he worked at the University of London, Department of Addictive Behavior and Psychological Medicine at St. Georges Hospital Medical School, where he received a Masters Degree in Addictive Behavior. Before joining UCSD, he worked in Bulgaria as Head of Department at the National Center for Addictions and Deputy Director of the Institute of Psychology. During the last 20 years, he served as an expert for many international organizations such as the Council of Europe, European Union, and the United Nations.
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Center Trainers
CCARTA's training team includes MD, PhD, and MA level educators who travel throughout the state to work with substance abuse treatment providers and administrators as well as criminal justice, law enforcement, and judicial professionals toward improved treatment outcomes. They are backed by a highly professional administrative team which procures appropriate sites, arranges travel, secures additional speakers as necessary, and prepares print and marketing materials. full bio's...