Gold Award for our WIC Team

The La Crosse County WIC team has received a Gold Breastfeeding Award of Excellence, making us one of only three counties in Wisconsin to earn this national recognition in 2026.

The award, presented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Administration, reflects the excellent work of the La Crosse County WIC team (pictured).

In 2020, about 69% of infants served by WIC in La Crosse County were fully or partially breastfed. By 2024, that number had increased to 75%. This means 265 infants were receiving the benefits of breastfeeding, supported by our WIC staff.

WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), helps families stay healthy by providing nutrition education, breastfeeding support, healthy foods, and referrals to health services and other resources.

First Move-Ins for Pathways Lease Program

Five leases have been signed and the first residents have moved into apartments as part of the new Pathways‑Held Leases program. This milestone was part of Tuesday’s Pathways Home update to the joint meeting of the La Crosse City Council and La Crosse County Board.

The program provides scattered‑site apartments for people who were previously homeless. Tenants must follow all lease requirements and pay 30% of their income toward rent. A tenant manager oversees lease signings, rent collection, and any rental unit issues.

The program is supported by donations, including contributions from city and county staff and Mayo Clinic Health System. You can support the program with a minimum donation of $10 to the fund at the La Crosse Area Community Foundation here.

Stable housing, paired with support from county staff, gives the tenants the chance to build a positive rental history and better access to services, work, and education opportunities. The goal is to continue expanding the program in the coming months.

SMRT Bus Public Hearing Sept. 15

A public hearing on the discontinuation of the Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit (SMRT) Bus will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15. The meeting will be held in the La Crosse County Administrative Building, 212 6th St. N, La Crosse. View the agenda here.

The La Crosse County Board voted in July to authorize the steps to discontinue the SMRT service, effective December 31, 2026. The cost of running the SMRT program to La Crosse County has increased from about $30,000 in 2023 to an estimated $227,000 this year.

Ever wondered what it’s like to answer a 911 call? With ThisGen911, you can get a hands‑on look at the quick decisions our La Crosse County dispatchers make every day. It’s a simple way to explore the job, learn what dispatchers do, and see whether this career might be a good fit for you. Click here to give it a try and see what being a 911 dispatcher feels like.

Annual Event to Support Caregivers

Caregivers are invited to join the Aging and Disability Resource Center of La Crosse County on Saturday, October 24, for the Caring Better and Braver Conference, at the La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium Building (1300 Badger St, La Crosse). View a flyer for the event here.

This is a free day of caregiver support and connection. The day begins with a Vendor Fair from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by a welcome from Kris Bjerke‑Ulliman, Chaplain with St. Croix Hospice. Morning breakout sessions cover key topics including FMLA for working caregivers, navigating long‑term care with help from Wisconsin’s Ombudsman Program, and stress‑reduction strategies. Lunch is provided. In the afternoon, attendees will view a documentary sharing real stories of paid and unpaid caregivers.

Registration is required and closes October 12. To sign up, call the ADRC of La Crosse County at 608‑785‑5700. Contact Kristine Meyer, Caregiver Support Specialist, at 608‑386‑0922 or kmeyer@lacrossecounty.org with any questions.

County Careers

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

• Public Health Planner
• Certified Nursing Assistant
• Social Worker
• Legal Secretary

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