Executive Director
Urban Affairs Coalition
Youth Outreach Adolescent Community Awareness Program
1207 Chestnut Street
third floor
Philadelphia,
PA
USA
19107
woody@yoacap.org
Biographical Sketch:
Duerward Beale, MHS and Kenneth Cruz-Dillard, MHS - Co-Principal Investigators - should be listed.
Duerward Beale: Mr. Beale has 17 years of professional experience in the field of human services. As a result of his strong work ethic, the majority of Mr. Beale’s work experience has been in supervisory and management positions. Currently, he is employed as the executive director of Youth Outreach Adolescent Community Awareness Program, Inc (YOACAP) of Philadelphia, PA under the direction of Linda L Blunt. In recognition of his work in youth leadership development, Mr. Beale received the “LISTEN INC.’s George Adams Jr. Award.” Mr. Beale has also presented in several national conferences including the American Public Health Association (APHA) 130th Annual Meeting, the 2001 National HIV Prevention Conference, and the 2001 United States Office of HIV/AIDS Policy Planning Meeting. Mr. Beale earned a Master of Human Services (MHS) graduate degree from Lincoln University, PA in 2004. His exemplary graduate work earned him the “Martin C. McGurrin Award,” for his outstanding contribution to the field of human services for his research project focusing on adolescent substance abuse.
Mr. Cruz-Dillard has over twenty years of professional paid and volunteer work experience in the fields of public and community-based heath care and education. His particular focus continues to be community mobilization and family preservation programs and services. As a result of his firm dedication and commitment to addressing gaps in services and disparities in diseases and adequate health care among racial, ethnic, and sexual minorities, Mr. Cruz-Dillard has earned a respect for his concerns and innovative service strategies in these areas. Previously, he has been employed in state and municipal health departments and by an Ivy League University. Mr. Cruz-Dillard has provided consultations to several offices within the US Department of Health and Human Services, including the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Office of Minority Health (OMH). His work also has included providing capacity-building technical assistance to several state and local health departments, community-based organizations, and educational institutions throughout the United States. He has served on various committees, and particularly continues to advocate and propose additional services for communities of color that continue to be disproportionately impacted by STD/HIV and other issues. Mr. Cruz-Dillard earned a Master of Human Services (MHS) graduate degree from Lincoln University, Pennsylvania in May of 2000.