Meet Our Staff

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Jessica earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Viterbo University and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin. She has worked as a social worker in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), a long-term inpatient psychiatric facility (IMD), and most recently at Jackson County. In addition, she has provided substance abuse counseling in the outpatient/inpatient setting and mental health counseling in the inpatient setting. 

Jessica has worked with the elderly or those needing skilled nursing care, adults with intellectual disabilities, and adults with severe and persistent mental illness and addiction challenges. Most recently, she has added children with physical and developmental disabilities and mental health challenges to the list. 

What she likes best about her job is learning people’s stories and seeing them reach their full potential. She is amazed at how resilient people are. She also enjoys seeing staff grow in their careers and become department leaders. She entered the field in 2009 but worked in the helping profession way before this. She started working at the nursing home, where her first social work job was as a high school student, first as a Certified Nursing Assistant and then in Activities. 

Jessica enjoys spending time with her family and being outside in her free time.

Dana obtained her Bachelor’s in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin Superior and is a Certified Social Worker. Dana has experience working with children and adults since 2008 with various disabilities and substance use challenges in multiple settings. Dana started working a Jackson County DHHS in the Behavioral Health Department in 2014 and is currently working with youth in Comprehensive Community Services, Children’s Long Term Support Waiver Program, and Coordinator Services Team. Dana is a trained instructor for the Prime for Life Program, which is geared to help prevent alcohol and drug abuse. Dana’s favorite part of her job is thinking outside of the box with assisting children and families with getting their needs met.

Autumn attended the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 2018 and went on to earn her Master's Degree in Social Work and graduated in 2019. Autumn has prior experience working in various in-home roles, including Children and Families. She enjoys traveling, cooking/baking, and spending quality time with her loved ones in her free time. Autumn currently serves clients aged six and up in the outpatient mental health clinic, striving to provide a client-focused and supportive environment. 

Jaclyn received her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice; with a minor in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. During her time at Platteville, she enrolled in the Social Work Program. She became a Certified Social Worker in 2018. Jaclyn has experience working with at-risk teens in residential treatment. She has over 7 years of experience working with adults who have developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and mental health diagnoses.

Jaclyn started at Jackson County DHHS in January 2023. She works with youth in Comprehensive Community Services, the Children’s Long-Term Support Program, and Coordinator Services Team. Jaclyn’s favorite part of her profession is knowing she has a hand in making a difference in people’s lives. Jaclyn enjoys exercising, camping, and spending time with her family in her free time, especially participating in family traditions like making lefse. 

  Nikki graduated from UW-Whitewater in December 2001 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education Early Childhood. Her prior experience includes 17 years of working with 3-5-year-old children in our state. She taught Head Start for approximately 6 years, and later taught Special Education/Early Childhood at a local school district. In 2022, Nikki transitioned to Jackson County and into 3 roles within the Birth to 3 program: The Birth to 3 Program Coordinator, Service Coordinator, and Early Interventionist. In her free time, Nikki enjoys spending time with her family camping in northern Wisconsin, traveling to tropical locations, watching her kids’ many sporting events, and spending time with the horses at Just a Horse Rescue and Sanctuary, where she also serves as Vice President on the Board.

Karla earned a degree of Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Viterbo University in 2016 and is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Substance Abuse Counselor. Karla provides services for the Comprehensive Community Services program as the Mental Health Professional for children and adults. Karla also provides mental health and substance abuse counseling. Karla is trained in and utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing, among other modalities. 

Kelsey obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Winona State and Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at Viterbo University. She recently completed her social work certificate through Upper Iowa University and obtained her CSW Licensure from the State of Wisconsin. Kelsey was an in-home therapist and youth CCS worker in Kenosha County before joining the behavioral health program in Jackson County in July 2021. Kelsey currently works with clients ages 1-21 across the CCS, CLTS, and CST programs.

Mara obtained her Associate’s Degree in Visual Communications (Digital Media Production) from Western Technical College in La Crosse and her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts with a focus on Education, Sociology, and Religious Studies from Viterbo University in La Crosse. Mara came to Black River Falls in 2007 as an AmeriCorps VISTA (volunteers in service to America) and worked with UW-Extension and the coalition Together for Jackson County Kids until she became the Program Director for the local Boys & Girls Club. After the club’s restructuring, she joined the Black River Falls School District as a special education aide. Mara’s spent over 20 years working with children, families, and organizations helping everyone reach their full potential. Mara joined the Behavioral Health Clinic in the summer of 2022 and brought her passion for serving others to the team. 

Stephanie obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Viterbo University and became a licensed social worker in 2014. Stephanie has experience working in both Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services, in addition to those with mental health and substance use disorders. Stephanie currently works as a behavioral health social worker in the crisis program but also serves Jackson County residents needing substance use treatment. Stephanie has worked for Jackson County for approximately 10 years and serves on multiple committees, including Together for Jackson County Kids, I-Team, and Coordinated Services Team (CST). 

Pam earned an Administrative Professional Associate Degree from Western Technical College and a Bachelor Degree in Integrated Studies (Criminal Justice/Sociology) from Viterbo University. Prior to joining Jackson County in 2017, she worked for over 20 years for two local nonprofit organizations serving a diverse population of individuals, including low-income families and dislocated workers. The most enjoyable part of working for Jackson County is connecting individuals needing mental health and/or addiction services with the amazing professionals that are part of the Behavioral Health Team.

Tristine obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Winona State University.  Before her employment at Jackson County, she worked with children with special needs, persons who were homeless, and persons who were incarcerated and reentering the community. Tristine has held different jobs, including supporting persons with special needs in various programs, Warming Center Coordinator, Coordinator of a Day Center for persons experiencing homelessness, Homeless Outreach, and Coordinator of a program helping a people transition from jail to the community. She currently works with adults in Community Comprehensive Services (CCS). Tristine has a passion for helping and serving people.

Casson attended UW Stout where she majored in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in social work. Her experience includes a 400+ hour internship with Oneida County Department of Social Services where she worked with children of all ages within the Economic Support and Aging and Disability Resource Center departments. Casson is currently in the process of obtaining her social work certification and will be providing services to the children/youth of Jackson county.

Prior to joining the Jackson County Behavioral Health Division, Samantha worked as a certified nursing assistant caring for the older adult population within area nursing homes. She has always enjoyed helping others so as her career path progressed, she obtained an Associate Degree in Human Services from Western Technical College. Samantha continued her education at UW Eau Claire and earned her Social Work degree in December 2023. Samantha became a licensed social worker in August 2024. Samantha will be providing social work services to adults enrolled in the Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program.

Taylor obtained an Associate’s Degree in Human Services from Western Technical College in La Crosse in 2019. She then earned a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Viterbo University in 2021 and became a Certified Social Worker the same year. Taylor’s prior experience includes serving as a Corrections Social Worker–Senior at Jackson Correctional Institution and a Patient & Family Services Social Worker for Black River Memorial Hospital. Taylor has experience working with adults with mental health disorders, substance use disorders, developmental and physical disabilities. 

Taylor started at Jackson County DHHS in February of 2024. She will be working with adults enrolled in the Community Comprehensive Services Program (CCS). Taylor’s favorite part of her job is making a positive impact in people’s lives. In her free time, she enjoys reading books, spending time with her friends and family, and making people laugh. 

Desjah obtained an Associate's degree in Human Services from Western Technical College, then continued her education at Southern New Hampshire University where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a concentration on 

Applied Psychology. 

Desjah is currently working on her Masters in Social Work and a social work certification. Desjah has a background in working direct care with youth (aged 6 to 21) with severe cognitive and behavioral challenges at Chileda as well as completing an internship with their case management department. In 2022, Desjah completed an internship with Aptiv’s behavior support department in La Crosse, WI. Prior to working at Jackson County, Desjah lived in North Dakota and worked as a Developmental Disabilities Program Manager with the State of North Dakota’s Developmental Disabilities Division where she worked with individuals of all ages with intellectual disabilities and related conditions. Desjah joined Jackson County Behavioral Health in March 2025 and works with Comprehensive Community Services (CCS), Children's Long-Term Support Waiver (CLTS), and Coordinated Services Team (CST) programs.