We Want Your Input

Please participate in the La Crosse County Survey found here and encourage friends and family who live in our county to do so.

The survey looks at accessibility, awareness, and satisfaction with La Crosse County services. It is being run by the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Department of Political Science and Public Administration in partnership with La Crosse County.

The goal is to make it an annual community check-in. It will also help us measure progress toward goals in our Strategic Plan. Participation is confidential. Overall results will be shared once the survey closes.

Big Results from Human Services

In 2025, La Crosse County Human Services delivered in a big way.

Thousands of meals were provided to older adults, 700 children gained long‑term healthcare support, crisis teams handled more than 5,500 calls, and a new 10‑unit supportive housing complex opened its doors.

Economic Support programs reached more than 20,000 people each month. FoodShare helped about 10,000 residents each month (injecting $1.6 million into the local economy monthly). Childcare assistance kept 185 families working, and energy programs helped thousands stay safe in their homes.

Integrated Support and Recovery Services (ISRS) funded nearly 2,000 days of residential treatment, placed dozens of people into sober or transitional housing, and supported hundreds through clinic services, substance‑use programs, and community‑based care.

More children also found stability. Forty‑four exited out‑of‑home care, with most reunited with family or placed in permanent guardianships.

Read more in the impact report here.

Blood Drive Thursday, April 2

Please sign up for our April Blood Drive, which takes place Thursday, April 2, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Health and Human Services Building (300 4th St. N, La Crosse). Sign up for an appointment here. All presenting donors will receive a $10 Subway gift card from Versiti. The drive is public, so please invite friends and family to donate. Walk-ins are also welcome.

La Crosse County will host two public open houses in May to showcase the $19.6 million modernization of the Hillview campus (3501 Park Lane Drive, La Crosse).

The Hillview Campus Open House will take place Tuesday, May 5, from 3–6 p.m. Guests are invited to tour the newly remodeled nursing home and the Evergreens Assisted Living (CBRF – Community-Based Residential Facility). The event will feature a ribbon‑cutting at 3:15 p.m., along with live music and refreshments.

The Hillview Life Center Grand Opening is scheduled for Friday, May 1, from 4–5:30 p.m., with a 4:30 p.m. ribbon‑cutting. The Life Center will offer childcare operated by the YWCA and programming for older adults.

$40k in Business and Arts Grants Awarded

In March, La Crosse County awarded $40,000 in business and arts and culture grants through the County’s Economic Development Advisory Committee.

Innovation and Diversification Grants

• $10,000 to Velocity Ventures for development of NDGE.app, an AI‑based project acceleration platform
• $10,000 to Polite Barbershop to support expansion of the barbershop and Polite Barber Academy

Arts and Culture Grants

• $4,000 to the Beading is Medicine program being offered by Melissa Baca at the Pump House Regional Arts Center
• $4,000 to Cia Siab, Inc., for the La Crosse Area Hmong American Day Celebration on May 16 at the Onalaska Omni Center
• $4,000 to Driftless Urban Orchestra for its 2026 mini‑season featuring local musicians
• $4,000 to the La Crosse Public Library for creation of an exterior mural
• $4,000 to Artspire for its June 13 community arts celebration in Riverside Park

The County still has $40,000 in SEED (Start‑up Enterprise & Entrepreneur Development) funding and $20,000 in Innovation and Diversification funding available this year. Learn more here.

King Appointed as Health Director

Rachel King has been appointed as La Crosse County’s new Health Director. She will lead a staff of 52 at the La Crosse County Health Department. King holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UW–La Crosse and has spent the past seven years with the department as a Health Educator and Epidemiologist.

The department’s work includes nutrition and immunization programs, disease investigation and health education. It also oversees environmental health by inspecting food establishments, testing water quality at beaches and pools, ensuring well water and septic systems are safe, and responding to public health hazards and animal bite reports.

Vote in the Spring Election

Make sure you have a plan to vote in the Spring Election on Tuesday, April 7. All 30 seats on the La Crosse County Board are up for election, with 9 contested races. There also are important judicial, school, and municipal elections. Find out what's on your ballot, your voting location, and more at myvote.wi.gov.

La Crosse County’s 175th Anniversary Art Competition is accepting entries through Thursday, April 30. Ready‑to‑hang artwork can be submitted at the La Crosse County Admin Center, 212 6th St. N, La Crosse.

Categories include Youth (K–12), Adult (18+), and Photography (all ages). Themes focus on heritage, natural beauty, community, and future vision. Prizes of up to $500 will be awarded, and entries will be displayed in an exhibition at the Admin Center.

Learn more about themes and how to enter here.

Many people provide caregiving without realizing it. If you regularly help someone with daily tasks, appointments, medications, or their overall well‑being, you may be a caregiver.

The ADRC of La Crosse County offers education sessions, in‑person and virtual support groups, trainings, and other resources for anyone in a caregiving role.

Upcoming opportunities include:

• Virtual Working Family Caregiver Support Group: April 1 and May 6, 6–7 p.m. (call 608‑785‑5700 to register)
• Family Caregiver Support Group: April 9 and May 14, 1:30–2:30 p.m., Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse (no registration needed)
• Caregiver Education Sessions: April 16 (Emergency Planning) and May 20 (Benefits 101), 1–2:30 p.m., DASH Center, Onalaska (call 608‑785‑5700 to register)

For questions, contact Kristine Meyer at 608‑386‑0922 or kmeyer@lacrossecounty.org.