Learn more about La Crosse County Health Department’s (LCHD) new and innovative way to respond to housing complaints. A dual-response between environmental sanitarians and social workers allows a person-centered approach for resolving challenges. The approach blends the housing assessment with immediate linkages to resources, problem-solving, and coordinated follow-up. The LCHD team talks through the process of creating this model, how Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) funds have supported the work, and strategies to continue these efforts.
The PHIG Spotlight Series is a platform for Wisconsin public health departments to share their experiences, lessons learned, and barriers encountered while implementing programs or policies. The goal is to foster shared learning, collaboration, and innovation across public health agencies.
Presentation Resources
About the Presenters
Karlene Buckmaster
Karlene Buckmaster is a Social Worker with the La Crosse County Health Department. She is a Viterbo University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in social work, and minors in both Sociology and Family Studies. One of Karlene’s primary roles in the Health Department is dual response with a sanitarian inspector for housing complaints. She is the first to do this work in La Crosse County, starting this role in February 2022. Prior to this position, Karlene worked in La Crosse County Human Services with the Integrated Support and Recovery Services– Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) Program. Karlene held that position for 6 years and she brings her experience with mental health, trauma, and person-centered work to the partnership with our Sanitarian Inspectors. The work that we do is tough, be sure that you are taking care of yourself.
Carol Drury, MPH, REHS
Carol Drury is the Environmental Health and Laboratory Manager for La Crosse County Health Department. She is a UW – Eau Claire graduate with a master’s in public health and holds the REHS certification. She has worked with the department for 9 years as the Manager leading a team of 13 staff of Sanitarians and Lab Technicians, of whom 5 of the Sanitarians work on Human Health Hazard and housing investigations. The staff work in dual response with the Social Worker to provide people focused investigations. Prior to her work with La Crosse County, she worked for 19 years with the State of Wisconsin both for DHS and for DATCP as a Sanitarian and Technical Specialist in Retail Food and Recreational Safety.
Rachel King, MPH, MCHES
Rachel King is the Epidemiologist with La Crosse County Health Department. She is a UW-La Crosse graduate with a master’s in public health and holds the MCHES certification. She has worked with the department for 7 years and started as a Health Educator with a focus in tobacco prevention, physical activity, and healthy food environments. Over the last 4 years, she has worked collaboratively to drive for positive results in community health improvement priorities and build positive relationships among partners and county departments.