Civilian Review Board Launches Community Form

The La Crosse County Civilian Review Board (CRB) has launched a new Community Report Form, offering residents a safe and accessible way to share personal experiences with law enforcement. The form is now live at lacrossecounty.org/crb.

Purpose: Created to support transparency, healing, and accountability, the form is part of the CRB’s mission to strengthen public trust through advocacy, outreach, and data collection. Residents can use it to describe interactions with law enforcement that left them feeling harmed, disrespected, profiled, or unheard. Reports may be submitted anonymously and are not shared with law enforcement unless requested by the person submitting.

“This isn’t about assigning blame or determining guilt—it’s about creating a space for people to be heard,” said members of the CRB. “When people feel silenced or dismissed after an encounter with law enforcement, they need somewhere to turn. This form is one way to start that conversation.”

About the CRB: The CRB does not conduct investigations, impose discipline, or override law enforcement decisions. It is an independent, community-based body formed by the La Crosse County Board following the recommendations of a Study Committee that included law enforcement, judicial representatives, social workers, educators, and community members.

How Information is Used: Data from the forms will be used to identify trends and guide discussions with public safety partners. The CRB meets monthly. As appropriate, it shares anonymized data with the La Crosse County Judiciary and Law Committee and participating law enforcement agencies: the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office, La Crosse Police Department, and Onalaska Police Department. Annual reports will be published to support ongoing transparency and community education. Learn more at lacrossecounty.org/crb.

The nationwide child support enforcement program is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025. Established through the Social Security Amendments signed by President Gerald Ford in 1974, the program officially launched in 1975 as a joint state-federal effort to ensure parents meet their financial responsibilities to their children.

In La Crosse County, our Child Support Agency plays a vital role in strengthening families:

• Staffing: 1 Director, 1 Supervisor, 8 Child Support Specialists, and 2 Administrative Associates
• Caseload: Serving more than 6,500 families
• Services: Establishing paternity, setting and enforcing child support orders
• Funding: 66% of costs are reimbursed, reducing the levy impact for local taxpayers

The program is one of the most effective anti-poverty efforts in the country. In 2024, La Crosse County collected $16 million in child support payments. Of those collections, 98% went directly to families, with 74% collected through income withholding. For every $1 spent in 2024, the program returned $4.24 to children and families. In all, Wisconsin’s program served 341,000 children last year.

La Crosse County is proud to be part of a system that helps children thrive by ensuring financial support from both parents.

Our Human Services Family and Children’s Section is hosting two fundraisers to support children and families in our community.

Brat Barn Fundraiser: Join us on Friday, Aug. 22, at the Copeland Avenue Festival Foods for a Brat Barn Fundraiser. Brats will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., or until sold out. Proceeds will help children and families with essential needs and extracurricular expenses.

Group deliveries to local businesses are available—please email jschroed@lacrossecounty.org by 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, to arrange a delivery.

Community Monday at Milwaukee Burger Company: On Monday, Aug. 25, from 6 to 9 p.m., Milwaukee Burger Company will host a Community Monday fundraiser. During this time, 10 percent of all sales—dine-in or takeout—will be donated to support children connected to the county’s child welfare and foster care system.

Can’t make it to either event? Donations can also be made online here. Select Children in Foster Care under Child/Family Programs when making your gift.

County staff toured a brand-new duplex at 512–514 Farnam Street in La Crosse last week. Built by Spies Construction, the project was supported by a $38,000 La Crosse County grant.

The grant was funded through our Neighborhood Revitalization Acquisition and Demolition Program, which has invested more than $2 million in housing projects across La Crosse, Onalaska, Campbell, and Rockland since 2016. The program expands the tax base that supports local services while spurring new housing development. Learn more here.

Picnic, Bingo, and Live Music: A Day to Celebrate Older Adults

Join the ADRC of La Crosse County for a community picnic honoring National Senior Citizens Day on Thursday, Aug. 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Copeland Park.

Event Highlights:

• Picnic Cookout at 11:30 a.m. (cheeseburger, sides, and dessert for adults 60+. Call 608-785-5775 to reserve. $4.50 suggested donation)
• Bingo at 12:30 p.m.
• Live music by Driftless River Band at 1:30 p.m.
• Yard games and more all day

Special guests serving food at the event will include County Administrator Jane Klekamp, Sheriff John Siegel, State Senator Brad Pfaff, WXOW’s Dustin Luecke, and local radio personality Kelly Wilde.

Veterans Services: Supporting Those Who Served

La Crosse County Veterans Services provides essential support to local veterans and their families. The office, located on the ground floor of the Health and Human Services Building, has from January through June 2025:



• Handled an average of 639 phone calls each month
• Assisted with more than 230 in-person contacts per month, including appointments and walk-ins
• Hosted community office hours at six sites each month
• Participated in 29 community events so far in 2025

Join us in thanking our Veterans Services staff for their dedication to ensuring veterans receive the resources and support they have earned.

On Thursday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m. at the Onalaska Library, Jeff Kersten from the Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection will outline the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords under Wisconsin law. The session will cover what to know before you rent, how to avoid common problems, and how to resolve disputes. Resources for both landlords and tenants will be available. No registration required.

Join us online on Thursday, Sept. 11, from 5–6:30 p.m. for Foundations of Inclusive Leadership in Public Service—a free session open to anyone interested in building more inclusive, equitable organizations.

Whether you work in government, business, education, or the nonprofit sector, this session will offer practical tools to strengthen belonging, trust, and accountability in your workplace.

Led by Chanin Kelly-Rae Consulting, you'll explore:

• Legal and policy considerations
• How to integrate equity into hiring, budgets, and services
• Strategies for measuring progress and driving long-term change
• The event is online via Zoom.
• Click here to register and learn more

This training is open to all La Crosse County community members.

La Crosse County is hiring for several exciting positions, including:

• Youth Services Librarian
• Mental Health Crisis Responder
• Administrative Specialist
• Deputy Clerk of Court

Explore all of the county's open positions here and consider sharing these opportunities with others. A career with La Crosse County offers excellent benefits, professional growth, and meaningful work that makes a difference in our community.