Brenda Beacham Named Director of Office of Probation Services

Brenda Beacham has been named director of the Office of Probation Services in the Administrative Office of the Courts effective Sept. 1, Glenn A. Grant, administrative director of the courts, announced today.

Beacham succeeds Rashad Shabaka-Burns, who has served as the first director of the Office of Probation Services since it was created in 2017 to provide guidance and oversight to probation officers across the state. He is retiring after 32 years with the Judiciary.

“Rashad’s leadership of an entirely new office with a new mission allowed the Judiciary to work even more closely with clients to provide the services they need to successfully complete their term. Brenda’s breadth of experience makes her well-positioned to build on that important mission as the office continues to reform its approach to probation services,” Director Grant said.

Beacham has served as assistant director of probation services since 2017 and spent the previous three years as chief of the Judiciary’s Child Support Enforcement Unit. She began her career as a probation officer in Hunterdon County in 1984 and was promoted to senior probation officer, supervising probation officer, and assistant division manager. She was assistant chief probation officer in the Somerset/Hunterdon/Warren Vicinage before heading the unit that oversees the collection of child support.

“I am honored to continue advancing the exciting new initiatives of the Office of Probation Services, which help clients develop better life skills, support their families, and make positive contributions to the community,” Beacham said.

Beacham earned her bachelor’s degree from Moravian College and holds a master’s degree from Rutgers University.

The Office of Probation Services, created in 2017, includes critical programs such as the Intensive Supervision Program, recovery court, and child support collections.