Transforming Communities Through Data-Informed Evaluation

Founded in 2019, Dawn Chorus Group is a team of psychologists, sociologists, technologists, and geographers dedicated to improving social, environmental, and well-being outcomes. Our diverse expertise helps us tackle challenges from multiple angles for effective solutions.

Our Mission

At Dawn Chorus Group, we go beyond traditional research. We use advanced techniques like artificial intelligence and ethnographic research to address complex community issues. Our goal is to evaluate and enhance community programs through data-driven decisions.

Our Core Activities

  • Program Evaluation: We conduct thorough evaluations of community programs, collecting and analyzing data to measure success and identify areas for improvement.
  • Strategic Insights: Our evaluations offer deep insights for informed decision-making and future planning, providing actionable recommendations.
  • Strengths and Weaknesses Analysis: We pinpoint program successes and shortcomings, offering evidence-based suggestions for improvement.
  • Inclusive Approach: We engage with community members, organizations, and policymakers to ensure our evaluations reflect diverse perspectives and foster equitable solutions.
  • Data Analysis: Using advanced techniques, we identify trends and patterns to develop targeted strategies for community challenges.

Why Choose Dawn Chorus Group?

  • Diverse Expertise: Our varied backgrounds allow us to approach problems from multiple perspectives for comprehensive solutions.
  • Transformative Data Use: We leverage data to enable informed decisions and impactful actions.
  • Curiosity-Driven Exploration: We deeply explore issues to meet our clients’ unique needs.
  • Collaborative Innovation: We focus on making data relatable and actionable, ensuring our insights drive real-world improvements.

Join Us

Join Dawn Chorus Group in using data and precise evaluation to build a brighter future. We are committed to promoting social justice and creating thriving communities through informed and impactful actions. Let’s work together to strengthen communities and achieve a more equitable future.

Research and Evaluation Team

Meghan Blevins, MA Research Associate

Meghan Blevins, MA

Meghan has over 15 years experience in healthy youth development, and community enhancement, including juvenile justice, prevention science, coalition building and maintenance, needs assessments, and data-driven decision-making for improved community outcomes. She started her journey of community enhancement as a Juvenile Justice programming supervisor at the Olivet Boys & Girls Club and with Berks County Juvenile Probation in Reading, PA, as a programmatic (and fun!) alternative for adjudicated youth who may otherwise be heading to placement. Seeing the changes in youth during the duration of programs, but wondering if there was data to validate the youth improvements led her to work as a Systems Change Specialist at Penn State University’s Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center’s EPISCenter. In this role, she helps guide communities through the Communities That Care (CTC) process as a certified CTC coach, and support local and state prevention collaboration.

She has had the honor of presenting a numerous Pennsylvania- based conferences, as well as the Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development conference, CADCA’s 28th National Leadership Forum, developed and presented “Organizational Elements for Effective Coalitions” Enhanced Prevention Learning Series through the Prevention Enhancement Technology Center (PTTC) funded through Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. Meghan serves/served on the board for the PA Youth Survey, PA Coalition on Domestic Violence, Reading Beautification, Inc., and The Coalition for the Promotion of Behavioral Health, as well as a guest lecturer and field instructor for multiple colleges and universities.

Looking to further improve community health, Meghan earned her Master of Arts degree in Community Psychology and Social Change from Penn State University and likes to dance, all activities on the water, and time at the beach.

Allison Herb, MS Research Associate

Allison Herb, MS

Allison Herb, MS, is a research associate. She has a passion for working on projects that aim to build equitable communities, specifically working with those populations who have been historically marginalized. Allison received her BS in psychology with a minor is women and gender studies from Alvernia University and graduated with magna cum laude honors. Allison’s interest in research sparked when she was awarded a student undergraduate research fellowship grant from Alvernia University. This grant provided her the opportunity to design and study a research project that investigated the effects that music, sound, and video has on mood. In addition, that experience strengthened her desire to continue to learn and grow in the field of research science. Allison has her MS degree in applied psychology from  Shippensburg University.

Jon Scaccia, PhD Principal and Scientific Advisor

Jon Scaccia, PhD

Book a meeting with Jon by clicking on this link!

Dr. Jonathan Scaccia, a community psychologist and evaluator with over two decades of experience, stands at the forefront of transforming public health practices. His journey began with a deep-seated commitment to substance abuse counseling in North Philadelphia. Here, he realized the profound impact of community-based treatment, propelling him toward advanced studies at the University of South Carolina. Earning a Ph.D. in Clinical-Community Psychology in 2014, his dissertation explored the intricate dynamics of organizational readiness in public health systems. His hands-on experience with policy development in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health complemented this academic pursuit, enhancing his expertise in public health system finance and quality.

Before his doctoral studies, Dr. Scaccia honed his skills in counseling psychology and human relations at Villanova University, culminating in a Master’s degree in 2008, where he was deeply involved in child and family behavioral health. This foundation was built upon a solid undergraduate background in psychology from the same university, marked by cum laude honors and a minor in Theology.

Dr. Scaccia’s current role as the Principal of The Dawn Chorus Group, since October 2018, showcases his remarkable ability to spearhead innovative public health initiatives. His work includes coordinating extensive vaccine equity programs and developing pioneering evaluation and research projects that cater to underserved communities. A notable achievement is his role as the Principal Investigator for two projects funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, reflecting his commitment to health equity and innovation.

In addition to The Dawn Chorus Group, Dr. Scaccia’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish Layr Research, where he developed an AI-based tool to synthesize scientific abstracts, further demonstrating his expertise in merging technology with public health. This venture birthed the website “This Week In Public Health,” a testament to his dedication to making scientific information accessible and engaging.

Dr. Scaccia’s association with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement as a faculty member since 2015, his contributions to the Finger Lakes Social Policy and Health Center since 2017, and his foundational work at The Wandersman Center, highlight his multifaceted role as an evaluator, researcher, and consultant. These roles have enabled him to influence a wide range of public health initiatives, from enhancing aging plans in hospitals to developing readiness measures for school safety.

His past experiences, including a significant role as a Senior Public Health Analyst at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and as an instructor at the University of South Carolina, have been instrumental in shaping his comprehensive understanding of public health challenges and solutions.

Throughout his career, Dr. Scaccia has consistently focused on bridging the gap between scientific research and practical implementation in community health settings. His commitment to this cause is evident in his leadership roles, including serving as Chair of the Board for Conexio Care and Coras Wellness, chair of the Global Implementation Society‘s 2024 International Conference, and his innovative approaches to integrating technology and community psychology,

Dr. Jonathan Scaccia is a visionary leader whose extensive background in community psychology, combined with his innovative approach to public health, makes him an invaluable asset in the field. His dedication to advancing community-wide health and wellness, through both his academic and professional endeavors, underscores his commitment to improving public health practices globally.

Book a meeting with Jon by clicking on this link!