Sharlene Lopez of St. Croix County HHS will present on the programming and services offered in St. Croix County, highlighting opportunities provided by funding from the American Relief Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). The programs target populations disproportionally affected by the COVID pandemic including those who are homeless or are experiencing housing instability, those who are under- or unemployed, those who are under- or uninsured, and those who are justice involved. St. Croix County has been able to enhance existing programs to assist in crisis response and outreach efforts in all of these areas.
About the Speaker: Shar Lopez is St. Croix County's Behavioral Health Administrator. She holds a Master of Science in Education, Counseling and Guidance degree and is licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Her prior clinical experience includes working in mental health day treatment, public schools, higher education, and the prison system. Shar shared the following about herself: "On a personal level, I love the outdoors and love to travel, preferably to a beach destination. I have a goal of traveling to somewhere I have never been before every year". Shar will be bringing two staff members with her: Nate Cundiff, one of the Law Enforcement Co-Responders as well as Katie Robinson, a Behavioral Health Supervisor.