Gerald R. Huber
Human Services Director

La Crosse County Human Services
300 N. Fourth Street
La Crosse, WI 54602

Wisconsin

Jerry Huber has served as Director of the La Crosse County Human Services Department since August 1998. Under his leadership, children and family services were redesigned to deliver a seamless array of services for children and families dealing with complex issues and multiple service systems. Mr. Huber also implemented several strategies to improve the services his Department offers, including the use of mediation in CHIPS cases and innovative approaches to involving foster parents in treatment planning.

In an effort to more effectively identify the needs of children and families throughout the county, Mr. Huber developed the Family Policy Board. A public/private partnership, the Board coordinates and communicates on a wide range of child and family issues to better address their unmet needs.

Currently, Mr. Huber is involved in developing an Alternative Response to Child Protective Service. This response focuses on preventing children from entering the Child Protective Service (CPS) system by identifying the needs of the family and providing appropriate services to address those needs and minimize safety risks. It involves a voluntary and strengthbased approach to resolving the issues that brought the family to the attention of the CPS system.

At this time, Mr. Huber is active in the implementation of Wisconsin's Program Enhancement Plan (PEP) as a member of the Executive Steering Committee and PEP Implementation Team. Wisconsin's PEP Implementation Team is guiding the planning and implementation of child welfare program strategies at the State and local level and strengthening the cross systems response to improving the lives of children and families.

Jerry Huber has been working in family and children's services at the public level since 1985 and has made significant contributions to the prevention of child abuse and neglect and to improving the lives of abused and/or neglected children. His expertise and knowledge often is sought when policy or practice issues arise. Jerry Huber provides the leadership, creativity, and vision that prove essential in ensuring the safety, well-being, and permanency of Wisconsin's children and families.