TALLADEGA — Nicole Parker is the new director of the Talladega County Department of Human Resources.

Parker has worked at the department for 18 and a half years and has served in several capacities in family and children services and adult services.

“I started as a service social worker working with family and children service and adult services,” Parker said.

She was later promoted to a supervisor position over family and child services before being named director of the department Dec. 16.

“I’m excited about it. It’s something I wanted to do and I have a lot to learn,” Parker said. “We have a good department with good employees and I want to encourage that.”

Parker is a graduate of Munford High School and went to Jacksonville State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in social work.

She later attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa for her master’s degree in social work.

Parker also has several certifications under her belt including a Private Independent Practitioner, or PIP, certification and a Licensed Clinic Social Worker, or LCSW certification.

Parker said her work over the last 18 and a half years with the department has prepared her with good experiences and solid connections with Talladega County’s court system, district attorney, and police departments.

“I’ve worked with them on a regular basis so we have a good working relationship,” Parker said. “They’ve been very supportive of my new position.”

The Talladega County Department of Human Resources oversees several services including food assistance programs, jobs programs, child support collections, family and child services that include adoption and foster care, and adult services that include protection programs.

“I know the area, I know the people,” Parker said. “This is my home so I want to do what I can to make it better for the people that live here.”

Contact Aziza Jackson at ajackson@dailyhome.com.