Blair County Chief Nancy Williams retires

Nancy B. Williams, Blair County Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, retired on July 31, 2018, after 43 years of service to the citizens of Blair County. Nancy began her career in juvenile justice as an intern with the Blair County Juvenile Probation Office in 1974, and was hired as a probation officer after graduating from the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law Enforcement and Corrections in 1975. In 1982, Nancy was promoted to the position of Deputy Chief. In 1985, she received a Master of Science Degree in Administration of Justice from Shippensburg University through the JCJC Graduate Education Program. Nancy was appointed as Chief Juvenile Probation Officer in 1995.

Under Nancy’s years of leadership, the probation department has been engaged in many transformational processes including implementation of Balanced and Restorative Justice principles, Juvenile Justice System Enhancement Strategies, and evidence-based and delinquency prevention practices. During Nancy’s administration, implementation of community-based programming was increased for youthful offenders with the establishment of MST, FF, and the Juvenile Drug Court. Improved screening and treatment for youth with behavioral health issues was instituted through the introduction of the MAYSI 2 trauma screening and TFCBT. Services for offenders such as alternatives to detention practices, cognitive behavioral interventions, victim community awareness programming and information and services for victims of juvenile crime were implemented. Prevention and court practices were expanded through Nancy’s leadership as co-chair of the Blair County Children’s Roundtable since 2004.

Throughout her tenure, Nancy supported family engagement practices, obtaining a Credential in Family Development (FDC) from Cornell University in 2010 and certification as an instructor and portfolio advisor. In 2013, Nancy received her Family Development Leadership Credential (FDLC) and Credential for StrengthsBased Family Workers (SFW) in 2017 from Temple University – Harrisburg. Under Nancy’s direction, family involvement probation practices were enhanced with all juvenile probation officers obtaining their credential in Strengths-Based Family Work from Temple University.

Nancy has been a member of the Pennsylvania Council of Chief Juvenile Probation Officers serving on the Executive Committee as Membership Chair since 1992. Throughout the years, Nancy has served on many statewide committees of the council, most recently the Awards Committee, 50th Anniversary Committee and the Evidenced-Based Practices Performance Measures Work Group. In 2001, Nancy was recognized as Pennsylvania’s Chief Juvenile Probation Officer of the Year. In retirement, Nancy looks forward to having the time and the freedom to pursue her interests, hobbies, and spending time with family and friends.