Spotlight: Integrated Support and Recovery Services

Integrated Support and Recovery Services (ISRS), part of La Crosse County Human Services, provides mental health, substance use, and developmental support for thousands of county residents. Funded mainly through Medicaid, ISRS has about 100 staff working in the Crisis Unit, Outpatient Clinic, and several programs that support both youth and adults.

The Crisis Unit responds 24/7 to mental health and substance use emergencies, by phone or in person. They stabilize situations, plan for safety, and connect people to ongoing help. In 2025, they handled 5,530 crisis calls.

The Outpatient Clinic offers therapy, substance use support, and psychiatric medication services, usually getting people in within a week or two. The clinic also helps people entering or leaving residential substance use treatment. In 2025, ISRS funded 1,975 days of residential treatment for 77 people and helped 86 others secure sober or transitional housing.

Two case‑management programs help people with mental health and substance use recovery. CCS (Comprehensive Community Services) served 236 youth and adults last year. CSP (Community Support Program) supports adults with more serious needs, providing intensive, often daily help. The county contracts with Family and Children’s Center to serve 55 adults and is adding an internal program for 10 more.

ISRS also runs two programs for young children. CLTS (Children’s Long‑Term Support) helps children with disabilities or significant mental health needs stay safely at home by funding respite care, skill‑building, equipment, and home modifications. CLTS currently serves 795 youth. The county’s Birth‑to‑3 program, offered through The Parenting Place, provides speech, physical, and occupational therapy in natural settings like homes or childcare. To request a screening, call 608‑784‑8125.

Most ISRS services are voluntary. “Change doesn’t always happen on the first try, and that’s okay,” said ISRS Manager Anneliese Skoda. “ISRS is built to meet people where they are.”

While most funding comes from Medicaid, many services can also be billed to private insurance or offered on a sliding‑fee scale. If someone in La Crosse County is struggling with mental health or substance use, ISRS is an accessible first stop. Walk in or call 784‑HELP (608‑784‑4357) to get connected.

Staff celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the “new” Lakeview Health Center and Assisted Living building earlier this month.

Around the same time inspectors also visited Lakeview to complete licensing surveys, giving us even more reason to celebrate. Erica Schultz, Director of Nursing at Lakeview, reported that the facility received zero health deficiencies. For context, skilled nursing facilities receive an average of 9.5 deficiency statements during these surveys.

Earning zero deficiencies is a testament to the hard work and excellence of every member of the Lakeview staff. The surveys are thorough, with inspectors speaking with residents and their families or guardians, reviewing charts and safety practices, and examining equipment and the building itself.

Next Blood Drive is Nov. 13

Please sign up for our November Blood Drive, which takes place Friday, Nov. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Health and Human Services Building (300 4th St. N, La Crosse). Sign up for an appointment here. The drive is public and walk-ins are also welcome.

Environmental Health Team Praised

The Environmental Health team at the La Crosse County Health Department recently earned praise from state officials who visited to evaluate their work.

Staff from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) said the team was “exceptionally compliant” and operates its programs at the highest level. DATCP evaluates the Health Department’s Environmental Health programs every three years.

The Environmental Health team licenses and inspects restaurants, lodging facilities, public swimming pools, campgrounds, tattoo and body‑piercing facilities, and manufactured home communities, and also tests wells and septic systems and provides lab services.



Sharp readers will note that the picture above shows the entire La Crosse County Health Department staff, not just the Environmental Health team. Learn more about our Health Department at lacrossecounty.org/health.

Make a Plan to Vote

The Nov. 3 General Election is fast approaching. Check your registration, polling place, and what's on your ballot at myvote.wi.gov.

County Funding in Action

We recently celebrated two major housing developments in La Crosse that received funding from La Crosse County.

• 360 Real Estate Solutions broke ground on Copper Rocks at the old Kmart site on the south side of La Crosse. The project will add 247 workforce‑focused apartments and townhomes, along with 20,000 square feet of commercial and community space.
• Couleecap, Inc. held a ribbon cutting for Haven on Main in downtown La Crosse, a new inclusive development with 70 housing units, including affordable homes and built‑in accessibility features.

La Crosse County helped make these projects possible with a $100,000 grant for Copper Rocks and a $50,000 grant for Haven on Main through our Acquisition and Demolition grant program.

Child Support Director of the Year

Jill Sherry (center in the picture) has been named the Wisconsin Child Support Enforcement Association Director of the Year. Jill is the Director of the La Crosse County Child Support Agency, which serves about 6,500 families and collected $16 million in child support in 2025.

Breastfeeding Education Video Series Launched

The WIC (Women, Infants and Children) team at the La Crosse County Health Department has released two new breastfeeding education videos. The videos are presented by the County's Maomoua Vue and produced by Blue Tie Productions. They cover family support for breastfeeding mothers as well as how to collect and store breast milk. You can watch and share the videos on YouTube here.

In the News: Pathways Home

Pathways Home, our city–county homelessness response plan, has been in the news recently, with homelessness dropping by one-third to fewer than 200 people, down from a peak of nearly 300 in 2024. Watch WXOW’s piece on the plan’s successes and challenges here. You can also listen to an in‑depth interview with Pathways Home staff on the Before Council podcast at this link.

Rising Star Award for Constant

Dillon Constant, La Crosse County Zoning and Planning Manager, was named one of the 2026 7 Rivers Alliance Rising Stars Under 40. Dillon, who is pictured above with County Planner Paul George-Blazevich and Land Services Director Kathleen Stewart, led development of the County's Climate Action Plan and has supported numerous other projects around sustainability, zoning and planning in our Land Services Department.

Goose Island Connector Trail is Open

The Goose Island Connector Trail is officially open. The Town of Shelby and La Crosse County hosted a ribbon cutting for the 1.3 mile trail last week.

The trail is for bicycles and pedestrians and connects the south side of La Crosse to Goose Island Park and Campground. The project was sponsored by the Town of Shelby and cost about $356,000. La Crosse County provided $100,000 in local match funding, with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation providing the remaining funds.

The new trail is already being used and is a great addition for residents and for the many tourists who visit Goose Island, helping boost our local economy.

County Careers

La Crosse County currently has a range of job openings for people interested in supporting our community. Current openings include:

• Risk Manager
• Deflection Program Social Worker (ISRS)
• Nurse Technician
• Building Services Worker
• Human Services Supervisor (Economic Support)

Help us spread the word about these opportunities. View all our job openings here.