La Crosse County Connection #7
Welcome to Issue #7 of La Crosse County Connection, brought to you by your county government. Contact us at countyconnection@lacrossecounty.org.
1. Highway Crew Clears Trees, Debris in Storm’s Wake
A significant storm hit parts of La Crosse County, especially in and around West Salem and Holmen, on Friday, July 28. That night, Highway crew were busy clearing fallen limbs, trees and debris to keep county and state roads open. Highway workers responded to at least 12 calls for blocked roads, including on county highways Z, ZN, B, JB, M, I and on State Highway 33. The team worked to cut and remove damaged tree limbs and push others off the roads. 1.5” hail was recorded in Holmen and 4” hail in West Salem. Over the course of a year, our Highway workers clear up to 1,000 trees and limbs off county and state highways. Thank you to our Highway team for keeping La Crosse County moving!
2. $1 Million Hillview Funding Request Advances
A request by county staff to U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin for $1 million to support our plan to reimagine Hillview Health Care Center recently passed out of a committee in the U.S. Senate as part of a larger bill. The bill still has a long way to go before becoming law, starting with a vote by the full Senate. We expect to find out if the Hillview Congressionally Directed Spending request makes the cut by the end of this year. The new vision for Hillview has an estimated price of $19.6 million. The existing building would be renovated to include new uses for parts of the property that are currently underutilized. View a presentation on the plan here.
3. Family Housing Program Launched
Three unsheltered families in La Crosse County will soon have the stability of secure housing thanks to a program funded by the county. Last December, the county board approved the use of $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for a family bridge housing program. The funds went to Couleecap and Catholic Charities to buy and manage housing for unsheltered families with children in La Crosse County. The program is now being implemented, and Couleecap has had offers accepted on three housing units. Families in the program will be supported by county case workers. We expect more homes will be acquired in the coming months, which means more families will have the stability they need to be successful. Learn more about the program (including how homes can be donated) here: Thriving Families - Couleecap Inc.
4. Health Dept. Wins $10k Transportation Grant
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The Health Department’s Community Liaison Program was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from the Women’s Fund of Greater La Crosse. The funds will support the Women’s Transportation Fund, which offers flexible funding to meet a variety of transportation-related needs. Over the past 17 years, the program has helped over 1,200 women who faced transportation-related barriers. For more information on The Women’s Transportation Fund or to obtain an application, please reach out to Lindsey Schwarz-Nichols at lschwarz@lacrossecounty.org.
5. Kudos to Our Child Support Team!
The county board on Monday passed a resolution recognizing August as Child Support Awareness Month, making this a good time to give a shout out to our La Crosse County Child Support team. More than $42 million in child support was collected by the La Crosse County Child Support team last year, helping to provide stability to children and families across our county. Child Support is one of the most cost-effective government programs, with $5.96 collected for every $1 spent. The program reduces child poverty and increases self-sufficiency. Please join us in thanking our Child Support team for making a difference in our community!
6. Dental Pain Protocol Awards
Tracy Kayser, the Health Department’s dental hygienist, recently presented on the positive impact of the Wisconsin Dental Pain Protocol project during a special event in La Crosse. Health Department staff, in partnership with dentists, hospitals and the Department of Health Services, train providers to consider alternatives to opioids for pain management through the program. The program also helps connect people to dental services. Awards were presented at the event to dentists who work with the program, including Rivertown Dental, Coulee Region Implant and Oral Surgery Center, Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers, Waterloo Heights Dental and Smile Care Dental.
7. Sign up for our August Blood Drive!
The county will be hosting blood drives on Wednesday, Aug. 30, and Thursday, Aug. 31, in the basement of the Health and Human Services building in downtown La Crosse. If you have never donated before, now is the time to start! The drives are open to the public and staff will be serving snacks and refreshments to everyone who donates. Your blood donations support our local hospitals and help save lives. Sign up for the Aug. 30 drive by clicking here or the Aug. 31 drive by clicking here.