Marygrace Billek is the Director of Human Services for the County of Mercer (NJ). Ms. Billek holds a Master’s of Science of Social Work (MSSW) from Columbia University and received bachelor’s degrees in English and in Psychology from Rutgers University. Ms. Billek began her career in 1986 as a residence counselor at SERV Centers of New Jersey where she learned the art of advocacy and the science of treatment for individuals suffering from mental health and substance disorders.
Ms. Billek joined Mercer County in 2004 as the Deputy Director of Human Services and in 2006 she was appointed to the role of Director. In this capacity she chairs and participates in a broad spectrum of over 30 boards and commissions, which allows her to bring an advocates voice and influence policy and practice on a state, county and local level. From her unique vantage point of overseeing the provision of services to at-risk youth; homeless individuals and families; the elderly; and individuals with disabilities, Ms. Billek has built a career championing efforts to decrease the stigma associated with mental illness and substance abuse. For the last 10 years she has worked closely with the Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness on a countywide implementation of Housing First and Rapid Rehousing. She counts Mercer’s success in reducing homelessness as one of her greatest career achievements.
