Melissa M. Smith graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work in 2003 from Bradley University, working in the field of social work until she began her career in community correction in 2005 under the probation division. While working in the probation division she served as a juvenile and adult probation officer.  Ms. Smith was actively involved in the Illinois Probation and Court Services Association from 2005 until 2014.  Her involvement included being a committee member, chairing the Membership Committee, and serving on the Executive Board for four years as the treasurer.  In 2014, Ms. Smith was hired by the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice as a Juvenile Justice Youth and Family Specialist in the Aftercare Division, commonly known as juvenile parole.  While working for the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice she obtained a master’s degree in psychology from Northcentral University and took on additional duties including being assigned to the intensive supervision unit, managing the adult suspend status caseload, providing training, participating in the trauma-informed aftercare committee, and being the back-up for the Juvenile Interstate Compact Commissioner for approximately seven years. Ms. Smith was appointed as the Illinois Interstate Compact Commissioner with the Illinois Department of Corrections in August of 2023. 

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