Rolling Meadows Human Services director named ‘Female Civilian Employee of the Year’

Award given at the 2024 Illinois Women in Criminal Justice conference.

The city of Rolling Meadows’ director of Human Services, Dr. Natalia Nieves, has been recognized as the Female Civilian Employee of the Year at the 2024 Women in Criminal Justice Conference.

This prestigious award recognized Dr. Nieves’ many contributions to supporting victims of crime and providing social services support in Rolling Meadows.

“The city is lucky to have such a talented and caring individual leading our social and human services program,” said Mayor Lara Sanoica. “Dr. Nieves is a beacon of hope for many who’ve encountered hardships, and this recognition reflects her commitment to public service.”

The award was presented to Dr. Nieves on April 9, at the 2024 Women in Criminal Justice Conference in East Peoria.

This conference is one of the largest conferences in the Midwest for female law enforcement officers and is attended by national and regional experts in the field. The conference is sponsored by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board Executive Institute.

“Dr. Natalia Nieves is so deserving of this prestigious award,” said Rolling Meadows Chief of Police John Nowacki. “She has been such a strong advocate for victims of crime and individuals in crisis. She is constantly supportive and compassionate for those who are experiencing some of their darkest and most painful times due to violence or tragedy.”

This year, Dr. Nieves led the creation of a new Human Services Department including social services outreach specialists, a community social service provider, and a mental health clinician as well as supporting staff. In a typical year before the department was established, the city’s providers served about 200 crime victims, who were mainly domestic violence and child abuse survivors, as well as 60 persons referred for mental health or substance abuse issues. The expanded Human Services Department led by Dr. Nieves will address needs in areas such as aging-in-place, mental health, parenting, family violence prevention, financial and computer literacy, and youth and adult wellness programs.