Acting Deputy Administrator
OJJDP
Betty Chemers has spent more than 25 years in the public and not-for-profit sectors working on criminal justice and juvenile justice issues. She currently serves as the Acting Deputy Administrator for Discretionary Programs at OJJDP, overseeing research, demonstration, and training and technical assistance activities. Previously, she served as Director of OJJDP's Research and Program Development Division for 4 years. From 1972 to 1985, Ms. Chemers worked at the National Institute of Justice, where she directed the Courts Research Division and served as Special Assistant to four National Institute directors. She was responsible for overall management and participated in several initiatives to improve the way the government communicates the results of criminal justice research to persons working in the field and to the public. From 1985 to 1987, Ms. Chemers served as the Director of Planning and Policy Analysis for the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. After this, prior to rejoining the Federal Government, she advised not-for-profit associations in health and juvenile justice areas on strategic planning, finance, and management issues. She is currently completing a 2-year term as President of AIRS, an interfaith organization in Baltimore, MD, that provides housing and care to approximately 250 homeless persons and families affected by HIV/AIDS.