Social worker to work with police in Washburn Neighborhood

La Crosse Area Family
Collaborative, Mayo sponsoring

A social worker is being deployed to help out the Washburn Neighborhood in La Crosse.

Sara Rugg has joined the team of two full-time community police officers who will be working out of a two story home at the intersection of 10th and Ferry streets. 

Rugg has been a social worker for 11 years, and says her focus will be helping at risk families.

Jason Larsen with the La Crosse Area Family Collaborative, which is helping sponsor – along with Mayo Clinic – her service says it’s valuable for Rugg to be right in the community she’s serving.

The house, owned by Mayo, was offered up at no cost for the work to be done. Mayo’s Terry Wilt said the location allowed the neighborhood to fully utilize her services. 

Rugg has worked for many years with special needs children, along with helping families who are at risk.

Larson says mental health, housing and parenting support are among the challenges his organization sees.