The overall goal of this research and training program, Culturally Centered Addictions Research Training (C-CART), is to educate clinicians, providers, and doctoral students in health professions in research skills that include culturally-centered practices, related to substance use and substance use disorders (SU/SUDs) which can be applied in interprofessional practice and diverse settings.

C-CART will specifically focus on the rural and underserved populations in Arizona and the southwestern United States.

Funded through the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the program fills a critical need for culturally relevant training in health professions, and complements NAU’s doctoral programs in health care and behavioral health fields.

Scholars of C-CART will:

• Advance skills through coursework
• Develop research experience working in interprofessional teams with academic and community mentors
• Explore culturally-centered, evidence-based practices through working with local community partners

Numerous community agencies across the state of Arizona are participating in the program, including: Crossroads; The Guidance Center; Health Choice Arizona; Native Americans for Community Action; Northern Arizona University Campus Health Services; Regional Center for Border Health, Inc.; and Southwest Behavioral and Health Services. See the C-CART Community Partners page for more information.

We look forward to training the first cohort of C-CART scholars.

Julie A. Baldwin, PhD
Regents’ Professor, Director
NAU Center for Health Equity Research

Ramona Mellott, PhD
Professor, Dean
NAU College of Education

Julie Roddy, PhD
The NARBA Institute James Wurgler MD Chair of Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health
NAU Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Shane Haberstroh, PhD
Associate Professor
NAU Department of Educational Psychology