PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Dr. McCarty-Caplan was born in Bogota, Colombia but adopted and raised in a Jewish family in the United States. This lived experience has profoundly shaped his personal and professional interest in the complexities of identity development, and pursuit of social equity and justice.
David holds a PhD in Social Work and served as Associate Professor of Social Work at California State University, Northridge from 2015-2022, where he focused on anti-oppressive and equity-informed pedagogy, policy analysis and research.
David’s experience in academia is complemented by a diverse array of consulting and service expertise that emphasizes pursuit of social equity through justice, diversity, and inclusion efforts within both secular and Jewish communities and organizations. David is an alum of Bend the Arc’s Selah Leadership Program for Jewish leaders of color and Jewtina y Co. 's Puentes Leadership Fellowship program. He serves on the Board of Directors for Jewish Youth for Community Action (JYCA), and is a member of the Camp Tawonga Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Working Group. He is also increasingly involved in work dedicated to adoption consciousness and education, through consultations with organizations, families and individuals that explore adoption-related challenges including identity development, race/racism, and sense of belonging. As a Latino adopted Jew himself, the combination of David’s lived experience as a transracial adoptee and professional skill-set as a social work researcher and educator provide him with unique and valuable expertise that inform his wide variety of projects and contributions.
DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & DEI, MCCAPLAN CONSULTING GROUP
2020 - Current
Supporting clients with quantitative research, program evaluation and organizational analysis. He thrives when he can help drive organizational and policy change with complex research studies. His research analyses outside of academia have shown the correlation between businesses spending more money on digital marketing having higher revenues than those that spend less.
DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & EVALUATION, JEWTINA Y CO
9/2023-Current
Designs and implements research projects and program evaluation focused on the intersections of Latin-Jewish culture and experiences and perspectives of Jewish communities of color.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR,
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE
Instructor for Masters of Social work students, teaching research methods and statistics, macro policy with an emphasis on social justice and equity.
2015 - 2023
RESEARCH ASSISTANT,
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, CHICAGO
2011- 2012
Partnership with Jane Addams School of Social Work and the University of British Columbia.
Interventions to Enhance Cultural Competence of Service Systems and Reduce Health Inequities: A Multidisciplinary Perspective. Funded by a grant from the Canadian Institute of Health Research.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT,
MIDWEST AIDS TRAINING & EDUCATION CENTER (MATEC)
Part of The University of Illinois, Chicago.
Developed web-based outcome evaluation surveys for regional HIV/AIDS training programs for medical professionals. Administered and evaluated outcome surveys for over 700 HIV/AIDS programs.
2009 - 2011
YOUTH ACTIVIST PROJECT TRAINER & COORDINATOR,
ILLINOIS CAUCUS FOR ADOLESCENT HEALTH
Trained youth activists on increasing community awareness of sexual health issues. Designed and facilitated social actions and roundtables for community members.
2008 - 2009
PROGRAM COORDINATOR,
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MEDICAL CENTER
2008 - 2009
Training Early Achievers for a Career in Health (TEACH) Research Program.
Implemented and analyzed an Experience Sampling Method of data collection regarding career-ambition behavior among high-school age youth. Mentored student research participants on educational and career goals.
CASE MANAGER & PATIENT ADVISORY COUNCIL COORDINATOR,
SCHWAB REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
Created an advisory council comprised of hospital patients and their families. Managed career/education support program for clients with acquired disabilities.
2007 - 2008
HIV TRANSITIONAL COUNSELOR,
CENTERFORCE
2005 - 2007
Centerforce with UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies.
The Get SET (Structural Ecosystems Therapy) Project Funded by a grant from National Institute of Mental Health. Implemented harm reduction-based Structural Ecosystem Therapy for 52 HIV positive individuals (and their families) transitioning from incarceration. Collaborated with over 20 community based organizations in the Bay Area.
SENIOR COUNSELOR,
SENECA CENTER
2003 - 2005
Provided mental health counseling and behavior modification for emotionally disturbed youth in both classroom and residential settings. Led and trained co-workers in safe implementation of crisis interventions.
