Chief Academic Officer
James B. Golden is a Los Angeles based Learning & Development Specialist with over 10 years of organizational development experience in training methodology, design, executive coaching, systems improvement, motivation, cultural competence, and inclusion. Dr. Golden is a natural leader with compassion and emotionally intelligent praxis. He has several years of business consulting experience along with assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of major programs and events for non-profits, corporations, and government departments. Golden regularly presents research and data at national conferences including: The National Council of Black Studies, the American Psychological Association, the National Hip Hop Political Convention; and he has been invited to speak at colleges including: Howard University, Pepperdine University, University of California at Los Angeles, Sierra Nevada College, and Cal State University, Northridge.
Golden earned a Doctor of Psychology degree from Phillips Graduate University, a Master’s of Humanities from Tiffin University, and a Master of Public Administration degree from Cal State Northridge. He has worked as a curriculum advocate, K-12 teacher, and developer of educational programs. He has published several articles for leading magazines/publications such as The Root, LinkedIn, Vibe, and Clutch; as well as four books including an NAACP Image Award winner.
Faculty
Cathy Rusch has worked in behavioral health, almost exclusively with Tarzana Treatment Centers, for the best part of 25 years. This has provided her with a unique experience and understanding of the Substance Use Disorder field, more specifically allowing her to appreciate growth in its capacity to serve diverse community needs and integrate with other healthcare fields. Currently, Cathy is the Senior Trainer for staff and community training, acting as the liaison for iStart, a grant addressing the service gaps for STD and HIV testing in partnership with California State University, Northridge (CSUN), and developing curriculum for TTCC.
Ms. Rusch’s academic background is in both Sociology and Healthcare Administration. For the past 8 years, Cathy has been a Professor of Health Sciences at California State University, Northridge. teaching for the Department of Health Sciences Program for both Health Administration and Public Health. She brings a wealth of experience and passion to the SUD Certification Program of TTCC.
Faculty
Dr. Schwab is a retired police chief and hostage negotiator who found great passion in studying psychology and substance abuse to educate herself during her career. Dr. Schwab started her educational journey at Penn State University, and has since earned a Bachelor’s degree in Developmental Psychology, Master’s degree in Applied Clinical Psychology, and Doctorate Degree in Neuroclinical Psychology specializing in Trauma, PTSD, and Traumatic Brain Injury. She has also conducted significant research on SUD, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Neurological issues. In her free time, she volunteers as a K9 Search and Rescue Member for the CA Governors dog team CARDA and enjoys the great outdoors.
Faculty
As one of Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. Senior Supervisor, Ms. Lorraine Ragosta currently oversees several programs within the Program Development Department. Ms. Ragosta joined Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc in July of 2015 where she for over 4 year she oversaw a variety of Department of Mental Health contracted mental health programs including an Integrated Mental Health programs for the Latinx community. These programs integrated traditional mental health services with physical care, substance use treatment and non-traditional culturally defined services so they can treat the whole person: mind, body and soul. In her current role, she leads a team of supervisors and coordinators in mental health integrated programs, Department of Public Health Tobacco Control policy grants, housing and homeless linkage grants as well as Re-entry Intensive Case Management Program. Prior to joining Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc., Ms. Ragosta’s discovered a love for community mental health in South Los Angeles where for close to 6 years she worked for Kedren Acute Psychiatric Hospital and Community Mental Health Program. Working in the South Los Angeles, Watts and Compton community in schools and in the field, she learned how to help others through individual, family and couple’s mental health therapy and targeted case management utilizing linkage to community resources. Ms. Ragosta also spent time working as Quality Assurance/ Quality Improvement and Training Program Manager for a mental health agency, Child and Family Center, in Santa Clarita, CA.
Faculty
Walter Santizo has dedicated his professional life to the prevention, treatment and implementation of substance use disorder approaches that address the medical, spiritual, and social needs of those affected by its impact. His goals are to educate, empower and advocate for community and client centered approaches that value diversity, increase access to care and remove stigma often associated with drug use. He holds a Master of Science Degree in counseling from California State University at Dominguez Hills and is a certified SUD counselor. His goal with TTC’s Academy is to teach, guide and develop professional SUD counselors that value the ability to serve those in need.