THE ECONOMIC FACTOR WAS THE MAJOR INFLUENCE ON THE DELIVERY OF PROBATION SERVICES IN NASSAU COUNTY IN 1978. THE ENTIRE NASSAU COUNTY BUDGET PROCESS AND ALL DEPARTMENTS OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT WERE REQUIRED TO PARE DOWN BUDGET REQUESTS. DUE TO LOSS OF PERSONNEL AND PROGRAM CUTS, THE NASSAU COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT APPROACHED 1979 WITH ESCALATING CASELOADS, DIMINISHING STAFF, AND THEREFORE, AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE. ONE MAJOR PROGRAM, OPERATION MIDWAY, WAS FORCED TO CLOSE INTAKE SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE YEAR, AND ITS FUTURE IS STILL IN QUESTION DESPITE COMMUNITY PRESSURE TO REINSTITUTE THE PROGRAM. OTHER PROBATION PROGRAMS HAVE CONTINUED BUT WITH RISING CASELOADS WHICH ARE PROJECTED TO EXCEED MAXIMUM STATE-MANDATED STANDARDS. THE COUNTY IS PROMOTING A VIABLE, COST-EFFECTIVE PROBATION SERVICE BY REORGANIZING STAFF ASSIGNMENTS, REEVALUATING CASELOADS, AND REEXAMINING PRIORITIES. THE REPORT INCLUDES STATISTICAL DATA AND INFORMATION ON ADMINISTRATION, THE FAMILY DIVISION (INTAKE, INVESTIGATIONS, SUPERVISION, AND SPECIAL SERVICES), THE ADULT DIVISION (PRETRIAL SERVICES, INVESTIGATIONS, SUPERVISION, AND SPECIAL SERVICES), AND THE SUPPORT COLLECTION UNIT. STATISTICAL SUMMARIES AND AN ORGANIZATIONAL CHART ARE PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--PRG)